MacConkey Agar (Sorbitol), 20 mL Monoplate, 10/Pk

This product provides 20mL of MacConkey Agar w/ Sorbitol (often called SMAC Agar) in a pre-poured, sterile petri dish. This is a critical modification of the standard MacConkey formula, specifically engineered for the detection and isolation of the pathogenic Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7.

Why is this important?

Because E. coli is abundant in almost all fecal samples, finding the specific strain responsible for Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) and hemorrhagic colitis requires a way to make it visually distinct. SMAC Agar makes the pathogen stand out as a colorless colony against a background of pink flora.

Common Applications:

• Food Safety: Routine testing of ground beef, raw milk, and apple cider.

• Clinical Diagnostics: Screening stool samples from patients presenting with bloody diarrhea.

• Public Health: Investigating outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).

Key Features:

• Targeted Screening: Specifically differentiates E. coli O157:H7.

• Selective Base: Bile salts and Crystal Violet inhibit Gram-positive organisms (like Staph and Enterococcus).

• High Contrast: Colorless colonies indicate potential pathogens; pink colonies indicate normal flora.

• Standard Fill: 20mL volume ensures plate longevity during incubation.

• Format: Sterile pre-poured agar plates (10-pack).

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