Unknown Lab Results
It Smells Like Proteus vulgaris
Microbiology Lab Report for Unknown
Robert Bhowanidin
MCB 2010L / Section 1290
October 24th, 2013
The following report will describe both my journey to find my unknown as well as the results that led to my discovery. Before I start, I will say that I am 100% positive that my unknown (which was #31) is none other than Proteus vulgaris. My data and the ensuing results from them simply cannot be disputed. From my first batch of results, Proteus vulgaris reared its head and I had it figured out, but needed the second half to prove my hypothesis correct. It was in fact my discovery that led to the class announcement that the Gelatinase test results for Proteus vulgaris was incorrectly labeled on the table. The following information will be regarding the data that guaranteed my assumption:
Lab Day #1 The first sets of tests for our unknown consisted of whether or not fermentation had occurred in the Phenol Red Broth. The first part of this test was for glucose fermentation with my results being +, which represented acid fermentation based on the yellow broth, and G, which represented gas end-products in the tube. The second part of the test was for lactose fermentation with my results coming back -, indicating that no fermentation occurred as a result of the red broth. The final part of the Phenol Red Broth tested for sucrose fermentation and my results were were + based on the yellow broth, which meant fermentation with acid had occurred. The next two tests are referred to as MR-VP, but are broken down to represent Methyl Red and Voges Proskauer. My Methyl Red test results were +, which exhibited a red color indicating that there was mixed acid fermentation. The Voges Proskauer test for my unknown came back -, telling me that acetoin was not produced because there was no color change. The final test on this day was the Citrate test. My results were a little puzzling as it exhibited slight blue and yellow coloring, but
Microbiology Lab Report for Unknown
Robert Bhowanidin
MCB 2010L / Section 1290
October 24th, 2013
The following report will describe both my journey to find my unknown as well as the results that led to my discovery. Before I start, I will say that I am 100% positive that my unknown (which was #31) is none other than Proteus vulgaris. My data and the ensuing results from them simply cannot be disputed. From my first batch of results, Proteus vulgaris reared its head and I had it figured out, but needed the second half to prove my hypothesis correct. It was in fact my discovery that led to the class announcement that the Gelatinase test results for Proteus vulgaris was incorrectly labeled on the table. The following information will be regarding the data that guaranteed my assumption:
Lab Day #1 The first sets of tests for our unknown consisted of whether or not fermentation had occurred in the Phenol Red Broth. The first part of this test was for glucose fermentation with my results being +, which represented acid fermentation based on the yellow broth, and G, which represented gas end-products in the tube. The second part of the test was for lactose fermentation with my results coming back -, indicating that no fermentation occurred as a result of the red broth. The final part of the Phenol Red Broth tested for sucrose fermentation and my results were were + based on the yellow broth, which meant fermentation with acid had occurred. The next two tests are referred to as MR-VP, but are broken down to represent Methyl Red and Voges Proskauer. My Methyl Red test results were +, which exhibited a red color indicating that there was mixed acid fermentation. The Voges Proskauer test for my unknown came back -, telling me that acetoin was not produced because there was no color change. The final test on this day was the Citrate test. My results were a little puzzling as it exhibited slight blue and yellow coloring, but