Violet Red Bile Glucose Agar contains peptone as a source of carbon, nitrogen, vitamins, and minerals. Yeast extract supplies B-complex vitamins, which stimulate bacterial growth. Glucose is a carbohydrate. Bile salts and crystal violet inhibit gram- positive bacteria. Glucose fermenters produce red colonies with red-purple halos (bile precipitation) in the presence of neutral red, a pH indicator. Agar is the solidifying agent.

Enterobacteriaceae are glucose-fermenting bacteria. Mossel et al. 3 modified lactose-containing Violet Red Bile Agar by adding glucose to improve the recovery of Enterobacteriaceae. Later work by Mossel et al.4,5 demonstrated that lactose could be omitted, resulting in the formulation known as Violet Red Bile Glucose Agar (VRBGA).

The Hycheck hygiene contact slide is a double-sided paddle containing two agar surfaces for immersing into fluids or sampling surfaces. There is one slide containing Violet Red Bile Glucose Agar paired with Tryptic Soy Agar.