Mannitol Salt Agar

 

Use: Mannitol Salt Agar is a selective medium used for the identification and isolation of pathogenic staphylococci.

Description: Mannitol Salt Agar is an agar medium used for the selective identification of pathogenic staphylococci. Chapman described a phenol red mannitol agar, which contained 7.5% sodium chloride, and was used to cultivate pathogenic staphylococci. On this medium S. aureus strains produce colonies surrounded by yellow zones due to the fermentation of mannitol. Acid production is indicated by the phenol red dye. Non-pathogenic staphylococci produce colonies surrounded by red or purple zones and are smaller in size. Most common microorganisms (i.e. Gram-negatives) are inhibited by the high salt content.

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