A new solid medium for enumerating cellulose-utilizing bacteria in soil

A solid medium containing ashed, acid-washed cellulose and a dye, Congo red, has been developed for enumeration of cellulose-utilizing bacteria in soil. Bacteria able to use the cellulose in this medium produced distinct zones of clearing around their colonies. A vivid contrast between the uniform red color of the medium and these halos made this method of differentiation of these organisms superior to other methods.