MacConkey Agar is the earliest selective and differential medium for cultivation of enteric microorganisms from a variety of clinical specimens. Subsequently MacConkey Agar and Broth have been recommended for use in microbiological examination of foodstuffs and for direct plating / inoculation of water samples for coliform counts. These media are also accepted by the Standard Methods for the Examination of Milk and Dairy Products and pharmaceutical preparations.

For the selection and recovery of the Enterobacteriaceae and related enteric gram-negative bacilli from clinical, food and water samples.