Bacillus Subtilis Lab Report

DISCUSSION Unknown #297 was collected from a urine sample from a patient with a kidney infection, named Doris. There have been several tests that were performed at the University of Illinois clinical Laboratory to identify the unknown. Unknown #297 was identified to be Bacillus subtilis with the various tests that were conducted. Most of the results that were observed in the laboratory matched the expected results for the bacterium. All of the morphological characteristics results matched expect in one test. There was a discrepancy in the motility test, where the test was observed to be negative. According to Microbewiki2, the test was supposed to be positive. The discrepancy might have been due to the error within the aseptic technique that was performed. When the tube was inoculated the needle might have been too hot, which might’ve killed the bacteria, to cause it to be non-motile.
The starch hydrolysis test was observed to be negative. However, brown stated that the test for Bacillus subtilis should come out positive. When the starch plate was observed, there was a lot of growth, and there was only a small circle that was hydrolyzed in the middle of the plate. …show more content…
subtilis is a bacterium that is found in a diverse environment. It is commonly found in animals’ gastrointestinal tracts. B. subtilis can also be found on plant root surfaces, and in soil. Since animals ingest plants, they consume B. subtilis within in their food, which causes them to acquire the bacteria. However, B. subtilis has beneficial effects when its ingested which is that it helps maintain a healthy environment in the body. Microbewiki2 stated that B. subtilis are known to be mesophiles that live in temperatures ranging from 25 to 35 degree Celsius. According to Microbewiki2 the optimal temperature for B. subtilis growth is 37o C. In addition, B. subtilis live in a harsh environment, however the formation of endospores helps it survive within those