m-TEC Agar is used with urea for the isolation and enumeration of thermotolerant E. coli from water using the membrane filtration technique. E. coli is used as an indicator of fecal pollution in water. Researchers have been able to to quantitate E. coli on m-TEC Agar with 24 hours without requiring subculture and identification of isolates. m-TEC is an acronymn for membrane thermotolerant E. coli.
Enzymatic digest of animal tissue provides nitrogen, carbon and minerals in m-TEC Agar. Yeast extract is a source of vitamins and trace elements. Lactose serves as a carbon source. Potassium Phosphate is the buffering agent. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Deoxycholate are selective agents against gram-positive bacteria. Bromcresol Purple and Bromphenol Red are pH indicators. Sodium Chloride maintains the osmotic balance of the medium. Agar is the solidifying agent.
