1. Selective and Differential Media
Selective media
Media designed to inhibit the growth of some organisms while encouraging the growth of others
Differential media
Media that contains substances (indicators) that reveal differences between organisms
Media can be both selective and differential.

2. Mannitol Salt agar
Both a selective and a differential medium

3. PEA Phenylethyl Alcohol Agar
A selective media that inhibits the growth of most Gram negative microbes

4. Blood agar

5. EMB Eosin Methylene Blue
Both a selective and a differential medium. Dyes inhibit Gram positives

6. HEA (Hektoen Enteric Agar)
Both a selective and a differential medium. Bile salts inhibit Gram positives
HEA (Hektoen Enteric Agar)

7. Hektoen enteric (HE) agar.
HE Agar Plates
Hektoen enteric (HE) agar.
Salmonella produces greenish colonies with black centers as shown in the left panel.
Enterobacter produces bright orange colonies as shown in the right panel.

8. MacConkey’s Agar
Both a selective and a differential medium. Bile salts and crystal violet inhibit Gram positive bacteria