Unknown #1
April 25, 2012
Microbiology
Spring 2012
MCB2010C
Unknown #1
Introduction
Identity of a microorganism has proven to be very significant. Doing so can help identify diseases and created treatment and cures for such diseases. As a result, various laboratory tests were performed to an unknown microbe (Unknown #1) found in the water of a nearby pond. By identify the microbe, the safety of the water will be known to those around it.
Materials and Methods
Unknown #1 was found in a nearby pond that was created by an earthquake. Some of the various methods introduced and practiced in class were applied in identifying the microbe. Procedures were followed as stated in the index of the Virtual Unknown Software.
First the shape and color of the microbe was noted. This is done to know the morphology of the microbe. After concluding that the microbe was Gram negative rods, it was inoculated into a previously prepared test tube. Then various tests were performed to isolate and identify the unknown microbe. Table 1 shows the tests, purpose, reagents and results of the various tests performed. Each test was performed according to the index of the Virtual Unknown software and the following tests were performed:
1) Adonitol Fermentation
2) Cellobiose Fermentation
3) Maltose Fermentation
4) Lactose Fermentation
5) Raffinose Fermentation
6) Sorbitol Fermentation
7) Sucrose Fermentation
8) Melibiose Fermentation
9) Indole Production
Results
Table 1: Biochemical Tests Results Test | Purpose | Reagents | Observations | Results | Adonitol Fermentation | To determine if the microbe can ferment the carbohydrate (sugar) adonitol as a carbon source. | None | Turned pink | Negative adonitol test | Cellobiose Fermentation | To determine if the microbe can ferment the carbohydrate (sugar) cellobiose as a carbon source. | None | Turned Yellow | Positive cellobiose fermenter | Maltose Fermentation | To determine if
References: Citrobacter amalonaticus A cousin to Citrobacter Freundii. http://www.citrobacterfreundii.org/citrobacter-amalonaticus/citrobacter-amalonaticus/ Nye, Jeff. Citrobacter amalonaticus. http://web.mst.edu/~microbio/BIO221_2010/C_amalonaticus.html Virtual Unknown Software