MacConkey Agar Composition and Uses

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Questions and Answers

What two components in MacConkey agar help to inhibit Gram-positive bacteria?

Bile salts and crystal violet dye.

What visual difference indicates lactose fermentation on MacConkey agar?

Lactose fermenting organisms appear as red to pink colonies.

At what temperature and time should MacConkey agar be incubated?

It should be incubated at 37°C for 24 hours.

Which microorganism is known to produce pink colonies on MacConkey agar?

<p>Escherichia coli.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to lactose non-fermenting organisms on MacConkey agar?

<p>They appear as colorless or transparent colonies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

MacConkey agar is used for the selective isolation of coliforms and enteric pathogens based on the ability to ferment ______.

<p>lactose</p> Signup and view all the answers

The pink colonies on MacConkey agar indicate that the microorganism is capable of ______ fermentation.

<p>lactose</p> Signup and view all the answers

MacConkey agar contains bile salts and crystal violet dye to inhibit most ______-positive bacteria.

<p>Gram</p> Signup and view all the answers

The incubation of MacConkey agar is done aerobically at ______° C for 24 hours.

<p>37</p> Signup and view all the answers

On MacConkey agar, Escherichia coli produces ______ colonies due to lactose fermentation.

<p>pink</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

MacConkey Agar purpose

Selective and differential medium for isolating and identifying coliforms and enteric pathogens.

MacConkey Agar selective action

Inhibits most Gram-positive bacteria using bile salts and crystal violet.

MacConkey Agar lactose fermenters

Appear pink/red due to lactose fermentation, changing the pH and triggering dye response.

MacConkey Agar lactose non-fermenters

Appear colorless, as they don't change the pH to trigger color.

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MacConkey Agar growth conditions

Aerobic incubation at 37°C for 24 hours produces visible colonies.

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What is MacConkey agar used for?

It's a selective and differential medium used to isolate and identify lactose-fermenting bacteria, primarily coliforms and enteric pathogens.

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What makes MacConkey agar selective?

It contains bile salts and crystal violet dye, which inhibit the growth of most Gram-positive bacteria.

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What makes MacConkey agar differential?

It contains lactose and a pH indicator (neutral red) that differentiate bacteria based on their ability to ferment lactose.

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How do lactose fermenters appear on MacConkey agar?

They form red or pink colonies due to the pH change caused by fermentation, which triggers the neutral red dye.

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How do lactose non-fermenters appear on MacConkey agar?

They appear as colorless or transparent colonies because they don't ferment lactose and don't change the pH.

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Study Notes

MacConkey Agar Composition

  • Contains bile salts to inhibit most Gram-positive bacteria, except Enterococcus and some Staphylococcus species (like S. aureus).
  • Includes crystal violet dye, inhibiting some Gram-positive bacteria.
  • Contains neutral red dye (pH indicator) that stains lactose-fermenting microbes.
  • Contains lactose and peptone.

MacConkey Agar Preparation

  • Dissolve 55g of MacConkey agar in 1000ml of distilled water by heating to boiling.
  • Sterilize by autoclaving at 15lbs pressure and 121°C for 15 minutes.
  • Cool the medium to 45-50°C before pouring into sterile Petri dishes.

MacConkey Agar Uses

  • Selectively isolates, cultivates, and differentiates coliforms and enteric pathogens based on their ability to ferment lactose.
  • Lactose fermenting organisms produce red to pink colonies.
  • Lactose non-fermenting organisms appear as colorless or transparent colonies.

Microbial Growth Examples

  • Escherichia coli: Produces pink colonies due to lactose fermentation.
  • Proteus mirabilis: Forms colorless colonies, showing no spreading.
  • Enterococcus sp.: Shows no growth.

Incubation Conditions

  • Aerobic incubation at 37°C for 24 hours.

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