What's Mannitol Salt Agar Used for?

Mannitol Salt Agar is recommended for isolating pathogenic staphylococci from samples, cosmetics, and microbial limit tests. Bacteria that grow in the presence of a high salt concentration and ferment mannitol produce acid products, turning the phenol red pH indicator from red to yellow.

What does mannitol salt agar detect?

Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) is used as a selective and differential medium for the isolation and identification of Staphylococcus aureus from clinical and non-clinical specimens. It encourages the growth of a group of certain bacteria while inhibiting the growth of others.

What is a mannitol salt agar used for?

Mannitol Salt Agar is used as a selective media for the isolation of pathogenic Staphylococci. It is recommended for the detection and enumeration of coagulase-positive Staphylococci in milk, food and other specimens.