Description
Desoxycholate Citrate Agar is a selective differential medium for isolating enteric pathogens.
Desoxycholate and citrate inhibit many Gram-positive and competing organisms. Lactose fermenters form pink colonies, while non-lactose fermenters remain colourless; hydrogen-sulfide-producing colonies may develop a black centre.
Clinical material is inoculated and incubated at 36 ± 1°C for approximately 18–24 hours. Presumptive Salmonella and Shigella colonies require biochemical and serological confirmation.
