Selective Isolation of Gram-Positive Cocci: Enriches recovery of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Enterococcus faecalis from polymicrobial specimens by suppressing Gram-negative flora.

Hemolysis Differentiation: 5% defibrinated sheep's blood supports observation of alpha, beta, and gamma hemolysis in streptococci.

Inhibition of Swarming Proteus: 0.25% phenylethyl alcohol limits swarming by Proteus mirabilis and related species, aiding discrete colony isolation.

Anaerobic Bacteriology: Facilitates isolation of Gram-positive anaerobes such as Clostridium spp. and Peptostreptococcus spp. from mixed cultures.

Purge of Gram-Negative Rods in Mixed Cultures: Suppresses growth of organisms like Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to allow recovery of Gram-positive targets.

Clinical Specimen Workups: Used for wound, skin/soft tissue, and respiratory specimens where selective recovery of Gram-positive organisms is desired.

Subculture and Purification: Employed to obtain pure cultures of Gram-positive isolates from primary plates with heavy Gram-negative contamination.