A nutrient medium in which, with the addition of bile salts No2, enterococci also grow (in addition to enterobacteria). Gram-negative enterobacteria that ferment lactose produce red or pink colonies. Bile salts No2 and crystal violet inhibit the growth of gram-positive cocci except Enterococcus. The neutral red indicator changes color with the breakdown of lactose.In the medium, enterococci grow in 36-48 hours and will show small, intensely red colonies with a lighter colored periphery, approximately 1mm in diameter.Non-lactose fermenting bacteria appear colorless.