Baird Parker Agar with 5% Egg Yolk Tellurite
Baird Parker Agar is a selective medium for the isolation and presumptive identification of coagulase-positive staphylococci. This medium is used extensively for detecting Staphylococcus aureus in foods, dairy products, and other materials. The medium is made highly selective by the inclusion of Lithium Chloride and Potassium tellurite. The Potassium tellurite inhibits most coliforms and is reduced by staphylococci giving rise to black colonies. Glycine and Sodium Pyruvate are included as growth enhancers while the pyruvate also acts as a neutraliser of toxic peroxides.
NB: Any black colonies (with or without the halo) on this medium must be confirmed as Staphylococcus aureus by further tests (e.g. Coagulase Test or Latex Agglutination etc.)
