MacConkey

AGAR
By: Marl Loiz B. Gonzales
01
 MACCONKEY AGAR

Today's Discussion Presentation

What is MCA?
Outline
Composition of MacConkey Agar

Uses of MacConkey Agar

Preparation for MacConkey Agar

Interpretations

Quality control

Limitations of MacConkey Agar

02
 What is MacConkey
Agar?
MacConkey agar (MAC) was the first solid differential
media to be formulated which was developed at 20th
century by Alfred Theodore MacConkey.
MacConkey agar is a selective and differential media
used for the isolation and differentiation of non-
fastidous gram-negative rods, particularly members of
the family Enterobacteriaceae and the genus
Pseudomonas
Neutral red is the PH indicator
03
Composition of MacConkey Agar
Uses of MacConkey
AGAR

MacConkey Agar is used for the

isolation of gram-negative enteric
bacteria.
It is used in the differentiation of
lactoce fermenting from lactose non-
fermentin gram-negative bacteria.
It is used for the isolation of coli forms
and intestinal pathogens in water, dairy
products and biological specimens.
E.COLI ON
MACCONKEY AGAR
 Suspend 49.53 grams of

Preparation of dehydrated medium in

1000 ml
purified/distilled water.

MacConkey
Agar
Heat to boiling to
Mix well before pouring dissolve the medium
into sterile Petri plates. completely.

Cool to 45-50 degree C. Sterilize by autoclaving

at 15 lbs pressure (121

degree C) for 15
minutes.
RESULT
INTERPRETATION
Lactose fermenting strains
Grow as red or pink and may be surrounded by a zone of
acid precipitated bile.
The red color is due to production of acid from lactose,
absorption of neutral red and a subsequent color change of
the dye when the pH of medium falls below 6.8.

Lactose non-fermenting strains

Such as Shigella and Salmonella are colorless and
transparent and typically do not alter appearnce of the
medium.
Yersinia enterocolitica may appear small, non lactose
fermenting colonies after incubation at room temperature

ARAICO PHARMACEUTICAL | VACCINES

MacConkey Agar with
pink colonies
QUALITY
CONTROL
The quality control is tested with atleast one known
organism to demonstrate growth or positive
reaction and at least one organism to demonstrate
inhibition or negative reaction.
 1. The colonial characteristics described give presumptive
identification only of the isolated organisms. It is

Limitations of necessary to subculture and carry out confirmation tests

for final identification.

MacConkey
Agar 2. Some strains may be encountered that grow poorly or
fail to grow on this medium.

3. Incubation of MacConkey Agar plates under

increased CO2 has been reported to reduce growth
and recovery of a number of strains of Gram-negative
bacilli.

4. Some strains of Proteus may swarm on this medium.

Reference:
1. Austin Community College, 5930 Middle Fiskville Rd., Austin, Texas
2. ASM Microbe Library: MacConkey Agar Plates Protocols
3. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Dehydrated Culture Media: MacConkey Agar
4. Acumedia Manufacturers: MacConkey Agar
5. HiMedia Laboratories Pvt. Ltd, Technical data: MacConkey Agar
6. Hardy Diagnostics: MacConkey Agar
7. Science Prof Online (SPO): MacConkey Agar
8. Bacteriological Analytical Manual, 8th Edition, Revision A, 1998.
9. Collin County Community College District.
10. Microbe Online
11. Wikipedia