Selective Media in Air Sampling: A Review

Summary. Under field conditions wanted micro‐organisms are often present in the air in small numbers and form a small proportion of the total flora. Selective techniques would be useful, but may be difficult to devise as airborne micro‐organisms are easily damaged and passing air over organisms deposited on slit sampler plates may be traumatic. Selective media may be avoided by using indicator media or animal inoculation, or the organisms may be transferred to selective conditions after some growth has taken place. Five selective agents are discussed: specific nutrients, anaerobic incubation, temperature, antibiotics, and other added selective chemicals. A table of references for isolating individual organisms is given.