Used in microbiology labs to detect and differentiate Escherichia coli from other Enterobacteriaceae in water, food, and clinical samples. The medium contains chromogenic substrates that react with specific enzymes produced by E. coli, resulting in distinct colony colors—typically blue or purple colonies for E. coli. This allows for rapid identification without the need for confirmatory tests. It is commonly used in environmental monitoring and quality control in pharmaceutical and food industries due to its high specificity and ease of use. The formulation supports the growth of E. coli while inhibiting gram-positive bacteria and non-target organisms, making it ideal for selective isolation and enumeration.