Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar is used for the selective isolation and enumeration of yeasts and molds from foods. Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions in humans. Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar Base is a selective medium for the enumeration of fungi. In 1944, Smith and Dawson used Rose Bengal for the selective isolation of fungi from soil samples. This formula was prepared with a neutral pH, deviating from the usual acidified medium. Several investigations have found a neutral pH with the addition of a selective agent have been successful in supporting fungal growth and restricting bacterial growth. Rose Bengal Agar pre-supplemented with Chloramphenicol is a modification of the Rose Bengal Chlortetracycline Agar formula of Jarvis. Chloramphenicol is recommended as the selective agent in fungal medium with a neutral pH because of its heat stability and broad antibacterial spectrum. Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar is recommended in standard methods for the enumeration of yeast and molds from foods and water. Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar is also referred to as Rose Bengal Agar and Rose Bengal-Malt Extract Agar.
