Hektoen Enteric Agar is a differential agar medium used for the isolation and identification of pathogens found in the intestinal tract.

Principles: The inhibitory action of this medium has been tempered by increasing the concentration of peptones and carbohydrates, thus suppressing the toxic effect of Bile Salts and allowing better recovery and growth of Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. The high Lactose content allows for the early detection of slow Lactose-fermenting microorganisms, while both Thiosulphate and Ferric Acid help identify H2S-producing bacteria. The additional carbohydrates (Sucrose and Salicilin) improve bacterial differentiation and recovery. Sodium Chloride provides essential electrolytes and maintains osmotic equilibrium. Agar is the gelifying agent.