Trichomonas medium is based on the formula described by Kupferburg, Johnson and Sprince for the selective isolation of Trichomonas spp. (1)
The tryptone and liver extract act as carbon, nitrogen and vitamin sources in this medium. Maltose is a fermentable carbohydrate.
The agar and cysteine HCl reduce the oxygen tension in the medium which aids the growth of trichmonads.
Methylene blue is a redox indictor and allows for the visualisation of any significant oxygen diffusion in the medium.
The addition of selective agents such as chloramphenicol is recommended to inhibit bacterial species that may be present in specimens.
References
1) Kupferberg, A.B. Johnson, G., and Sprince, H. 1948. Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol. Med., 67:304-308