What Bacteria Can Ferment Mannitol?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Most

pathogenic staphylococci, such as Staphylococcus aureus

, will ferment mannitol. Most non-pathogenic staphylococci will not ferment mannitol. The Staphylococcus aureus ferments mannitol and turns the medium yellow. The Serratia marcescens does not grow because of the high salt content.

Does E coli ferment mannitol?

Gram-negative bacteria like E. coli and P. … Staphylococcus aureus is also

able to ferment mannitol

, because this bacterial species has the enzyme coagulase required for the process.

What type of bacteria can grow on MSA?

Organisms Results Staphylococcus aureus Yellow colonies with yellow zones.

Does Staphylococcus epidermidis ferment mannitol?

Staphylococcus epidermidis grows on MSA, but

does not ferment mannitol

(media remains light pink in color, colonies are colorless).

Which specific bacteria can grow on mannitol salt agar and break down the mannitol?


Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis

on mannitol salt agar. Mannitol salt agar is a commonly used growth medium in microbiology. It encourages the growth of a group of certain bacteria while inhibiting the growth of others.

What bacteria Cannot grow on MSA?

For example, the high salt concentration in mannitol salt agar (MSA) inhibits the growth of most organisms except

Staphylococcus species

(thanks to brnQ, arsR, and cardiolipin). Selective media can also eliminate growth of specific organisms based on other criteria such as pH and amino acid composition.

What bacteria Cannot grow on MSA agar?

Mannitol Salt is a selective bacterial growth medium because it has a very high concentration of NaCl (7.5%). Most bacteria cannot survive in this highly saline, hypertonic environment. But the

genus Staphylococcus

has a protective slime layerthat protects it in a harsh, salty environment.

Can Micrococcus luteus ferment mannitol?

When grown on mannitol salt agar some species of Micrococcus (Micrococcus is a normal flora of human skin, mucosa, and oropharynx), such as M. luteus (yellow) can produce yellow colonies. … They

can ferment mannitol

and produce lactic acid, producing yellow-colored colonies on MSA.

What does mannitol positive mean?

Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) is used to determine if the bacteria is halophilic (salt loving) and if the bacteria can ferment mannitol. … A positive result for mannitol fermentation would be

the formation of a yellow halo around the bacterial colony

, this is an indication of acid production from the breakdown of mannitol.

How do you test for mannitol fermentation?

An inoculum from a pure culture is transferred aseptically to a sterile tube of phenol red mannitol broth. The inoculated tube is incubated at 35-37 C for 24 hours and the results are determined. A positive test consists of a color change from red

to

yellow, indicating a pH change to acidic.

What staph can ferment mannitol?

Most pathogenic staphylococci,

such as Staphylococcus aureus

, will ferment mannitol. Most non-pathogenic staphylococci will not ferment mannitol. The Staphylococcus aureus ferments mannitol and turns the medium yellow.

Why is mannitol salt agar used?

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. … Staphylococcus aureus grows on this medium and ferments mannitol to produce yellow colonies.

What does mannitol salt agar test 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.

Is Mannitol Salt Agar selective or differential?

This type of medium is

both selective and differential

. The MSA will select for organisms such as Staphylococcus species which can live in areas of high salt concentration (plate on the left in the picture below).

What ingredient makes mannitol salt selective?

Mannitol salt agar is selective due to the presence of

7.5% sodium chloride (NaCl)

.

Does Salmonella grow on Mannitol Salt Agar?

Gram negative enteric bacilli will grow; E. coli will produce pink colonies, Salmonella and Shigella spp. … aureus ferments

mannitol

and colonies are yellow; B. cereus does not ferment mannitol and colonies are deep red.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.