Enriched media

Definition

Enriched media are nutrient-rich formulations used to cultivate fastidious organisms that require additional growth factors or specific nutrients. These media enhance the growth of particular bacteria by providing essential compounds not found in basic media.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Enriched media contain extra nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and organic compounds.
2. They are used to grow fastidious bacteria that do not thrive on standard agar.
3. Examples include blood agar and chocolate agar.
4. Blood agar is enriched with whole blood, providing additional growth factors for certain pathogens.
5. Chocolate agar is made by heating blood agar, which releases intracellular nutrients from red blood cells.

Review Questions

• What makes enriched media different from basic or minimal media?
• Why are enriched media necessary for cultivating fastidious organisms?
• Name two examples of enriched media and describe their composition.

Related terms

Selective Media: Media designed to suppress the growth of unwanted bacteria and support the growth of the desired microbes.

Differential Media: Media formulated to distinguish between different types of bacteria based on their biological characteristics.

Minimal Media: Nutrient formulations that contain only the essential components needed for the growth of non-fastidious organisms.