Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Selective and differential agar media utilize specific inhibitory agents and chromogenic/diagnostic substrates for target pathogens.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Baird-Parker agar (BPA) is the standard ISO and FDA-BAM selective medium for the isolation and enumeration of Staphylococcus aureus.
It contains lithium chloride and potassium tellurite to inhibit background microflora, glycine and sodium pyruvate to stimulate staphylococcal growth, and egg yolk emulsion.
Coagulase-positive S. aureus forms diagnostic jet-black, shiny colonies (tellurite reduction) surrounded by a clear halo zone (lecithinase/lipase activity).
Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, Baird-Parker agar is the selective media used for St. aureus.