Lab method
MacConkey agar concept
Lactose-fermentation sorting vocabulary
muh-KON-key
High-yield clue
Lactose fermenter versus nonfermenter is the study branch, not a standalone ID.
Overview
A selective/differential media concept used in coursework to contrast lactose-fermenting and non-lactose-fermenting Gram-negative rods.
Classification
- Selective/differential media concept
- Enteric sorting vocabulary
Lab & identification clues
- Lactose fermentation vocabulary
- Gram-negative selection concept
- Colony-color concept without protocol details
Associations
- E. coli
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Salmonella/Shigella contrast
Commonly confused with
- Blood agar
- Chocolate agar
Your notes
Original concept summary for coursework. Sources checked: OpenStax Microbiology 2e and NCBI Bookshelf Medical Microbiology; reviewed 2026-06. Describes vocabulary and interpretation concepts only; not a lab protocol and not for handling specimens or identifying patient isolates.