Common selective and differential culture media are:

• Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA): Selective due to high NaCl for Staphylococcus. Differential since it contains mannitol and phenol red. Mannitol fermentation turns yellow
• MacConkey Agar: Selective since it contains bile salts and crystal violet, which inhibit the growth of gram-positive bacteria. Differential since it contains lactose and neutral red. Lactose fermentation turns pink/red
• Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) Agar: Selective since it contains eosin Y and methylene blue, which inhibit the growth of gram-positive bacteria. Differential because it contains lactose. Lactose fermentation produces dark colonies with a green sheen
• Hektoen Enteric (HE) Agar: Selective since it contains bile salts and dyes that inhibit the growth of gram-positive bacteria. Differential since it contains lactose, sucrose, salicin, and ferric ammonium citrate. Lactose/sucrose fermentation turns yellow/salmon; hydrogen sulfide producers form black colonies
• Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate (XLD) Agar: Selective since it contains sodium deoxycholate, which inhibits the growth of gram-positive bacteria. Differential since it contains xylose, lysine, and ferric ammonium citrate. Xylose fermentation turns yellow; Hydrogen sulfide producers form black precipitates

Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) is considered both selective and differential due to its unique composition and the way it interacts with different types of bacteria.

Selective Properties:

• High Concentration of Sodium Chloride (NaCl): MSA contains a high concentration of sodium chloride, usually around 7.5-10%. This high salt concentration inhibits the growth of most bacteria but allows the growth of halotolerant bacteria, particularly members of the genus Staphylococcus. This makes the medium selective for these types of bacteria

Differential Properties:

• Mannitol and Phenol Red: MSA contains the sugar mannitol and the pH indicator phenol red. When bacteria that can ferment mannitol grow on the agar, they produce acidic byproducts. The phenol red in the medium detects this change in pH
  • Mannitol Fermentation: If mannitol fermentation occurs, the phenol red turns yellow due to the acidic environment
  • No Mannitol Fermentation: If mannitol is not fermented, the phenol red remains red or turns pink due to alkaline byproducts

When selecting additional selective and differential culture media, consider the following:

1. Determine the specific types of microorganisms you aim to isolate and identify. Different media are designed to select for and differentiate between various bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms.
2. Evaluate the inhibitory substances present in the medium. These substances are crucial for suppressing the growth of non-target organisms. Ensure that the inhibitors are appropriate for the microorganisms you wish to exclude.
3. Consider the biochemical or physiological traits that the medium differentiates. This often involves specific metabolic properties, such as carbohydrate fermentation, enzyme activity, or the production of certain pigments.
4. Assess the nutritional components of the media to ensure they support the growth of the target organisms.
5. Check the indicator systems used in the medium, such as pH indicators, chromogenic substrates, or redox indicators. These systems should provide clear and easily interpretable results for distinguishing between different types of microorganisms.