What is the name of the differential and selective medium for coliforms, and specify what is being selected for and differentiated.
EMB agar is used for the selection and differentiation of coliforms. It contains you seen and methylene blue both of which are toxic to Gram Positive Bacteria. Therefore this bacteria cannot grow in this medium. Only Gram Negative bacteria will grow.
All the coliforms are differentiated from each other on the basis of their lactose fermenting ability.
Those which can ferment lactose produce acid due to which they can absorb eosin and methylene blue dye thereby turning purple black in colour.
Those which can not ferment lactose make the medium basic but cannot absorb therefore appear colourless.
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