Bacteriophage Plaque Assays: Supports robust plaque formation on hosts such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with 10 mM MgCl2 enhancing phage adsorption and infection.

Propagation of Phage-Sensitive Strains: Routine culturing and maintenance of bacterial hosts used in phage work, leveraging mannitol as a defined carbon source.

Differential Cultivation (Mannitol Utilization): Growth and observation of mannitol-fermenting bacteria (e.g., Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) for carbohydrate utilization studies.

Environmental and Food Microbiology: Isolation and enumeration of heterotrophs from soil, water, and food samples, including spore-formers like Bacillus cereus group.

Antimicrobial Screening: Base medium for disc diffusion or spot assays against organisms such as Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Colony Purification and Stocking: Streaking, isolation, and maintenance of lab strains requiring a simple carbohydrate source and nutritious soy base.