Unknown Lab Report
Unknown Lab Report
April 25th, 2006
Introduction The purpose of this lab was to identify two unknown bacteria cultures using various differential tests. The identification of these unknown cultures was accomplished by separating and differentiating possible bacteria based on specific biochemical characteristics. Whether the tests performed identified specific enzymatic reactions or metabolic pathways, each was used in a way to help recognize those specifics and identify the unknown cultures. The differential tests used to identify the unknown cultures were oxidase, catalase, lactose and sucrose fermentation, Kugler/iron agar, nitrate reduction, gelatin hydrolysis, starch hydrolysis, manitol salt, MR-VP, citrate, bile esculin, indole, urease, DNase, and coagulase.
Material & Methods
The tests performed on the unknown bacteria cultures were all used to determine the identity of the bacteria. Each of the tests performed provided some key information about the bacteria in question and how it functions. Not all of the tests were performed on every culture, however, as some of the tests were used only for gram (+) or gram () bacteria, while others were even more specific and used only for cocci bacteria. The tests performed and what constitutes a positive and negative test are as follows. The oxidase test was performed only on gram (-) bacteria and was used to test for the presence of cytochrome oxidase. Living bacteria were placed on a paper towel and saturated with a chromogenic reducing agent. Within seconds the reagent, acting as an artificial electron acceptor, will turn purple if oxidized cytochrome oxidase is present, indicating a positive test. If no color change is observed, no cytochrome oxidase is present and the test is negative. The catalase test was performed only on gram (+) bacteria, as this test would not help in differentiating the gram (-) bacteria because all of the possible unknown gram (-) bacteria were catalase
April 25th, 2006
Introduction The purpose of this lab was to identify two unknown bacteria cultures using various differential tests. The identification of these unknown cultures was accomplished by separating and differentiating possible bacteria based on specific biochemical characteristics. Whether the tests performed identified specific enzymatic reactions or metabolic pathways, each was used in a way to help recognize those specifics and identify the unknown cultures. The differential tests used to identify the unknown cultures were oxidase, catalase, lactose and sucrose fermentation, Kugler/iron agar, nitrate reduction, gelatin hydrolysis, starch hydrolysis, manitol salt, MR-VP, citrate, bile esculin, indole, urease, DNase, and coagulase.
Material & Methods
The tests performed on the unknown bacteria cultures were all used to determine the identity of the bacteria. Each of the tests performed provided some key information about the bacteria in question and how it functions. Not all of the tests were performed on every culture, however, as some of the tests were used only for gram (+) or gram () bacteria, while others were even more specific and used only for cocci bacteria. The tests performed and what constitutes a positive and negative test are as follows. The oxidase test was performed only on gram (-) bacteria and was used to test for the presence of cytochrome oxidase. Living bacteria were placed on a paper towel and saturated with a chromogenic reducing agent. Within seconds the reagent, acting as an artificial electron acceptor, will turn purple if oxidized cytochrome oxidase is present, indicating a positive test. If no color change is observed, no cytochrome oxidase is present and the test is negative. The catalase test was performed only on gram (+) bacteria, as this test would not help in differentiating the gram (-) bacteria because all of the possible unknown gram (-) bacteria were catalase