MacConkey Agar is a differential medium used to detect, isolate, and enumerate coliforms and intestinal pathogens in water, dairy products, and biological specimens. It provides diagnostic indicators like bile tolerance, colony morphology, and chromogenesis, allowing for easy differentiation of various bacteria (e.g., E. coli, Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa).

Recommended by the WHO and Department of Health for water examination, this agar supports the growth of both pathogenic Gram-positive cocci and Enterobacteriaceae. It’s particularly useful for cultivating pathogens from diverse samples like urine, feces, and wound swabs. While selective, it allows for a broader range of bacterial growth compared to other inhibitory media and should be used in conjunction with other selective and non-selective media for comprehensive analysis.