GC Agar is based on the formulation described by Thayer and Martin that was modified from the formulation development by Johnson for the isolation of gonococcus cultures and is recommended primarily for the isolation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis; however, it is also capable of supporting the growth of most fastidious micro-organisms from clinical specimens, and is recommended by the UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations for a variety of clinical samples, and falls under the category of selective media for pathogenic Neisseria spp. according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.

Enrichment of KM0016 GC Agar is usually attained using lysed blood but haemoglobin powder or chocolated blood are suitable alternatives. Further enrichment may be provided by the addition of Suplex Supplement (E&O BM0478) which contains yeast extract and glucose. Selective plated media variants of KM0016 GC Agar, may be prepared by the addition of various selective supplements such as LCAT Selective Supplement (E&O LS0001) or VCAT Selective Supplement (E&O LS0002). These supplements suppress most microbiota present in clinical specimens.