MR/VP broth is used in the coloured series for the differentiation of enteric Gram-negative bacilli based on the methyl red and Voges-Proskauer reactions of the Escherichia-Enterobacter group.
The methyl red test is used to differentiate between microorganisms that produce and maintain a high acid concentration and those that produce a lower amount of acid.
Enterobacter bacteria oxidize the acetylmethylcarbinol in the Voges-Proskauer reaction and cause a red coloration, in contrast to Escherichia coli, which does not.
Peptone mixture | 7 g/l |
Dextrose | 5 g/l |
Potassium phosphate | 5 g/l |
pH value (25 °C) | 6.7-7.1 |