A selective medium for the isolation and detection of dermatophytic fungi originally developed by Taplin et al.

Dermatophytes appear as fluffy colonies with reddening of the medium while other fungi cause the medium to become yellow due to acid production. Yeasts will also grow on this medium but are readily distinguished by their distinct white/creamy colonies and distinctive smell.

Soy peptone provides the required carbon, nitrogen and vitamins. Glucose is a fermentable carbohydrate. The inclusion of phenol red assists in the differentiation between saprophytic and environmental fungi. Although the low pH (pH 5.5) of the medium inhibits most bacteria chloramphenicol and cycloheximide are often added to further reduce the risk when processing material that may be more heavily contaminated.

NB: Prolonged incubation should be avoided as this may cause fungi other than dermatophytes to turn the medium red.