Used as an enrichment medium for the detection and recovery of coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli in water, food, and environmental samples. It supports the growth of gram-negative enteric organisms. Commonly used in the presumptive phase of the most probable number (MPN) method to estimate coliform density. After incubation, gas production from lactose fermentation, typically observed in a Durham tube, indicates the presence of coliforms. Often serves as a base for further confirmatory testing in microbiological analysis.