Staphylococcus aureus was induced into viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state by low temperature and potassium sorbate. The resuscitation of VBNC strain was successful when being incubated in brain heart infusion (BHI) medium. The physiological metabolisms and responses to stresses of the resuscitative cells were also studied. The results showed that the morphology and the physiological characteristics of the resuscitative strains were the same as the standard strain except for the negative urease. On blood agar plate, the colonies of the resuscitative strains were white, without hemolysis. Furthermore, the resuscitative strains were more susceptible to stress. This may be related to the lack of ability of carotenoid biosynthesis.