Differential & Selective Media

Specialized bacterial growth media can provide clues about a microbe’s identity. Here are links to the Suite101 articles on differential and selective types of media.

Selective media only grows certain types of microbes. Differential media exhibits a color change when microbes with certain metabolic capabilities are present. See the following articles for more information on both general and specialized bacterial growth media.

• Selective Bacterial Growth Media
• Differential Bacterial Growth Media
• Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA)
• MacConkey's Agar (MAC)
• Blood Agar (BAP)

For additional information on microbiology see the SPO Virtual Microbiology Classroom and Todar’s Online Textbook of Bacteriology.