Explain the difference between a contaminated culture and a mix culture Explain the difference between a contaminated culture and a mix culture Solution In mixed culture or in material containing more than one bacterium, the bacterium to be isolated is often overgrown by the unwanted bacteria.usually the nonpathogenic or commensal bacteria tend to overgrow the pathogenic ones. For example salmonella typhi being over grown by E coli in culturesfrom feces. the forgain bacteria or other substances are introduced into the pure culture called as contaminated culture. that results in increase in number of unwanted bacteria relative to other bacteria..