EMB Flashcards
1
Q
What does EMB stand for?
A
Eosin Methylene Blue Agar
2
Q
Selectively cultures what type of bacteria?
A
Gram-negative bacteria
3
Q
What does it differentiate?
A
Lactose
4
Q
What are the key ingredients?
A
Lactose
Eosin y
Methylene blue
5
Q
The two dyes in the media are what?
A
Eosin y and methylene blue
6
Q
Explain the two purposes of the dyes
A
1) they make the media selective for gram-negative because it is toxic to gram-positive
2) they react with lactose to create color changes
7
Q
Explain the differential properties of EMB media
A
Strong lactose fermenters will turn dark purple or black.
Less aggressive lactose fermenters will turn light pink or pink, and bacterial colonies that don’t produce lactose won’t turn any color or will turn the color of the media.
