US Patent 7749724 Fluorogenic selective and differential medium for isolation of

Particular aspects provide novel compositions and methods useful for the growth, isolation and detection of microorganisms that have α-glucosidase activity (e.g., the bacterium E. sakazakii). Certain embodiments provide a novel growth and/or plating media, comprising a fluorogenic α-glucosidase substrate, which is both selective for and differential to E. sakazakii. In particular embodiments, the α-glucosidase substrate comprises 4-methylumbelliferyl-α-D-glucoside. Additional embodiments relate to a selection media. Further embodiments relate to a selective medium that is based on Tryptone Bile agar. Still further embodiments relate to OK media as defined herein. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods for growing bacterial cultures on media that is selective for and differential to microorganisms that have α-glucosidase activity (e.g., the bacterium E. sakazakii).