1. Mannitol Salt Agar is an important selective and differential
media. It is selective for the Staphylococcus genus of
microorganisms. It is capable of differentiating the mannitol-fermenting
staphs from those that cannot ferment mannitol.
Staphylococcus aureus ferments mannitol and produces acid which turns the pH
indicator (phenol red) to a yellow color.
Staphylococcus
epidermidis does not ferment mannitol and so produces no acid to change the
color of the indicator.
Staphylococcus aureus ferments mannitol and produces acid which turns the pH
indicator (phenol red) to a yellow color.
Staphylococcus
epidermidis does not ferment mannitol and so produces no acid to change the
color of the indicator.