Microbiology: Alcaligenes Faecalis Bacteria

The first step toward identifying this unknown organism was to perform a Gram Stain to differentiate between gram positive and gram negative bacteria. This is an important step because it directs what the next tests will be. My Gram Stain on sample #12 showed that the bacteria was gram negative, however, after receiving the results of the OF glucose, H2S, Citrate, Urease and Motility tests, it was apparent that my Gram Stain was contaminated. I then performed a catalase test which came back negative, so I ordered a Bacitracin disc, Optochin disc and a CAMP test which had to be incubated overnight. After receipt of those test results,

Bacteria are ubiquitous; they can be found on the skin, in the soil, and inside the body. Because of the very nature of this ubiquity, it is important to be able to determine between different strains of bacteria. An example of this is determining the causative agent for a disease so that the patient will be treated with the appropriate antibiotics. It may be important to determine the bacteria in a certain region, because like with enteric bacteria, it is normal to find them in the digestive tract as they are in a symbiotic relationship with our bodies in this area; however, they also cause opportunistic infections in places outside of the digestive tract to our detriment, such as with a urinary tract infection. Some strains of bacteria are common to nosocomial infections, and identifying these bacteria as such helps create the guidelines for healthcare workers in antiseptic technique. All of the morphology and characteristics of each strain of bacteria help us to better understand the role of bacteria in the body as well as helps us understand how they can cause illness, and what treatment regimen to set in place. In lab this semester, a sample of unknown

The bases of this experiment was to discover the identify of the unknown from three possible specimens: Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacter aerogenes. Utilizaing the T streak technique, the bacteria was isolated into pure colonies for further study. The Gram Stain method was used to identity the morhphology of the bacteria such as the shape and whether the bacteria was Gram positive or Gram negative. Biochemical test were also used to help identify the unknown bacteria. The biochemical test used was the Triple Sugar Iron Agar, Sulfur Indole Motility test, Methyl Red test, Voges-Proskauer test, Citrate test, Urease test, and the Gelatin test. After observing the morphology of the bacteria using the Gram Stain method and utilizing all the possible biochemical test, the bacteria was identified to be Enterobacter aerogenes.

The first result of importance was the result of the Gram stain. The observations of the unknown bacteria from the slant culture after Gram staining showed that the unknown bacteria were Gram negative bacilli (Image 1). After determining the unknown bacteria was Gram negative, an oxidase test was conducted on a sample from the slant culture. The cotton swap with the sample of bacteria did not change color when the oxidase reagent was applied, thus providing a negative result. With a negative oxidase test, further tests were conducted to determine various characteristics of the unknown bacteria. A MR-VP broth was inoculated with a sample from a slant culture of unknown bacteria. After incubation, the methyl red reagent was added to the broth, and the broth turned red, providing a positive result (Image 2). An EMB agar streak plate was inoculated with a sample from a slant culture of the unknown bacteria, and after incubation, growth was found on the plate, providing a positive result (Image 3). A Citrate agar slant was inoculated, and after incubation, growth was found on the media, providing a positive result (Image 4). A Urea agar slant was inoculated, and after incubation, the agar had changed from a peach color to a bright pink color, providing a positive result (Image 5). Using the flowchart (Figure 1) developed from the Table of Expected Results, the lab partners started at the oxidase test. Given the negative result of the oxidase test, the flowchart is

For many years the identification of microorganisms has been important in the world of medicine. It is essential or correct disease diagnosis in patients and for proper treatment. Knowing the correct identity and characteristics of microorganism is crucial when disease outbreaks occur in populations, also knowing how humans can benefit from microorganisms is important; many can be used in making certain foods or antibiotics.

Table 3 shows Gram stain results that indicated C. Freundii as a gram negative bacterium in rod shapes scattered in singles and some in pairs. Each gram stain produced the same results. The Bartholomew and Mittwer method of endospore staining indicated that C. Freundii tested negative for endospore formation. Table 4 shows the biochemical test results of the unknown and the official test results for comparison.

Microorganisms are both beneficial and harmful. These microorganisms are important to humans because they play a role in the ecology of life, by decomposing wastes, both natural and man-made, such as creating nitrogen fertilizer at the root zones of certain crops. Other several pathogens that can cause serious harm, even immediate death due to the diseases or disease causing products they produce. Overall, microorganisms play an important role in life.

This laboratory experiment’s objective was to take a pure culture and isolate it from a mixed culture. The other part of the objective was to ascertain what species of bacteria that the pure culture was. The hypothesis made stated that so long as lab protocol was followed, the unidentified culture would be positively recognized/identified. An isolated pure colony of the unknown culture was obtained using the quadrant streak plate method. Afterward, the culture was Gram stained, and the results showed that it was Gram positive. Motility tests were done on the unknown using a filter paper bridge on a petri dish that contained TTC with agar. The unknown was revealed to not be motile, which meant that it did not possess flagella. The last test done was to learn the metabolic capabilities of the unknown bacteria. There were tests done for citrate utilization, the mixed fermentation pathway, catalase presence, carbohydrate fermentation in mannitol, lactose and glucose, urease production and the butanediol fermentation pathway in order to better identify the unknown bacteria. The results from each of the metabolic tests in conjunction with the motility and Gram staining tests were ultimately compared to results from database containing many different kinds of results from various bacteria. The unknown from the mixed culture was identified as Staphylococcus

Unknown bacteria determined to be Alcaligenes faecalis because of its morphological, physiological and metabolic properties.

In the world of microbiology it is vitally important to be able to discern the identities of microorganisms. Not only is it important in a lab setting but as well as in healthcare in general. Properly identify what strain of bacteria a person has will aid in the proper medicine and dose given. Throughout the semester we have learned about different types of bacteria and certain test that can clearly identify them. The purpose of this lab report is to identify a Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacterium. Using all the knowledge of procedures and lab techniques identify the unknown and discuss all the tests you performed.

The colonies were smooth, translucent, and had a white brownish color. The Gram stain resulted in Gram positive cocci. After the Gram stain was completed, the bacteria were streaked on a Mannitol-Salt Agar plate and a Catalase test was performed. After these test were completed a Phenol Red Dextrose Fermentation tube was inoculated, and a SIM Tube inoculated.

Microbiology is a subject dealing with microbes and related concepts. Microbiology has come a long way since discovery of microbes and is presently of great help to mankind. It is used in health care, food production, diagnosis, production of alcohol, maintenance of sterility and cleanliness etc.

Researchers over the past few decades have made it evident that microbial communities affect all species. I got an opportunity to broaden my horizon on this subject during my undergraduate studies at Calcutta University which covered three years of extensive material in Botany, Zoology, and Chemistry. I was intrigued with those interdisciplinary subjects which required a cogent and rational understanding. However, Microbiology fascinated me the most. I believe it to be a sub-discipline that explores the presence of a parallel world of organisms that has co-evolved with an excellent mechanism of survival. They affect our health, development, and the environment we live

Additionally, research has been critical to the identification and categorization of the various microbes. The ability to do this is of vast importance to the understanding and preservation of individual and community health. Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, organisms to small to be seen by the naked eye. Microorganisms are found nearly everywhere in nature and as such have a profound effect on us and the world around us. Some of the effects produced by microorganisms are desirable and other effects are not desirable.

(the study of microscopic organisms, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa and fungi), leading to gained knowledge of how to grow and