Lauryl Sulfate Broth with MUG is used for the detection of coliforms and the fluorogenic detection of Escherichia coli in a laboratory setting. Lauryl Sulfate Broth with MUG is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions in humans.

The coliform group of bacteria includes aerobic and facultative anaerobic, Gram-negative, non-sporeforming bacilli that ferment lactose and form acid and gas at 35°C within 48 hours. Members of the Enterobacteriacae comprise the majority of this group, but organisms such as Aeromonas spp. may also be included. Procedures to detect and confirm coliforms are used in testing water, foods, dairy products, and other materials.

Lauryl Sulfate Broth, also referred to as Lauryl Tryptose Broth, is prepared according to the formula of Mallmann and Darby. During their investigation, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate produced the best results for inhibition of organisms other than coliforms. Feng and Hartman developed a rapid assay for E. coli by incorporating 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-glucuronide (MUG) at a final concentration of 100 μg/mL into Lauryl Sulfate Broth. Incorporating MUG into Lauryl Sulfate Broth (LSB) permits the detection of E. coli among the coliform colonies.

Lauryl Sulfate Broth with MUG is recommended by the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC).