Hektoen Enteric Agar

Isolate and differentiate Shigella and Salmonella spp. from clinical specimens and food, with ready-to-use Thermo Scientific™ Oxoid™ Hektoen Enteric Agar. This selective medium is recommended for the isolation of salmonella from foods according to the Bacteriological Analytical Manual¹. It is also recommended with the ISO 21567² standards for the isolation of shigellae from foods.

Hektoen Enteric Agar is a differential and selective medium for the isolation of Shigella and Salmonella spp.

• Recommended for the isolation of salmonella from foods according to the Bacteriological Analytical Manual¹.
• Conforms to ISO 21567 for isolation of shigellae from foods².
• Easy-to-read: shigellae form green moist raised colonies, while salmonellae form blue green colonies, and other coliforms form salmon-pink to orange colonies surrounded by a zone of bile precipitation.
• Ready-to-use convenience of prepared media.

The high peptone content in the medium offsets the inhibitory effects of bile salts on Shigella species in particular. The additional carbohydrates (sucrose and salicin) give better differentiation than lactose alone and the lower toxicity of the double indicator improves recovery. The increased lactose content helps early recognition of slow lactose-fermenting organisms. The thiosulphate and ferric citrate are present to detect H₂S producing organisms.