Bacterial identification is crucial to the healthcare setting in that it helps prevent or reduce disease. Multiple tests were conducted in attempt to identify the unknown microorganism that was swabbed from a cheek, and their materials, methods and results were described. The goal of the unknown lab experiment was achieved by identifying the genus and possible species through interpretation of the results found. Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms. These organisms are virtually invisible to the naked eye, and require laboratory examination. Understanding lab techniques and procedures used for bacterial identification is crucial to the overall knowledge of the microorganism being studied. In healthcare, for instance, bacterial
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The first test was hemolytic reaction; obtaining a blood agar plate, the unknown was swabbed onto the medium and incubated. A Bacitracin test was performed by also acquiring blood agar and swabbing the unknown bacteria onto the plate. A filter paper disk containing 0.04 units of bacitracin was then placed in the middle of the streak, and the plate was incubated at 37C. The next test performed was the Bile Esculin Test. A bile esculin agar slant was inoculated with the unknown, and incubated at 37C for 24-48 hours. A 6.5% Salt Broth Test was conducted by obtaining a tube of 6.5% salt broth, inoculating the broth with the unknown, and incubating it at 37C. For a catalase test, a small amount of unknown was transferred onto a slide. A drop of H2O2 was then added to the slide, and observations were recorded. A Mannitol Fermentation test was then conducted by obtaining a Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) plate. The unknown was streaked onto the plate and incubated inversely at 37C. Next, a Coagulase test was performed by obtaining a vile of citrated rabbit plasma and 3 sterile test tubes. 0.5ml of rabbit plasma was pipetted into each tube, and the unknown was suspended in the plasma using a sterile loop and aseptic technique. The tubes were then incubated at 37C. Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar and MacConkey’s agar tests were similar; after obtaining a plate of each agar, streaked a single line of the unknown onto the plate, and the plates were incubated. The Methyl Red experiment was tested by adding the unknown specimen to a tube of Methyl Red (MRVP) broth, and the tube was incubated. A sulfide, indole production, and motility test, or SIM, was conducted by obtaining a tube of SIM agar. The agar was inoculated with the unknown by the inoculating needle. The sulfide and motility portion of the test was then concluded. After incubation at 37C for 24 hours, the indole test was
The first test was hemolytic reaction; obtaining a blood agar plate, the unknown was swabbed onto the medium and incubated. A Bacitracin test was performed by also acquiring blood agar and swabbing the unknown bacteria onto the plate. A filter paper disk containing 0.04 units of bacitracin was then placed in the middle of the streak, and the plate was incubated at 37C. The next test performed was the Bile Esculin Test. A bile esculin agar slant was inoculated with the unknown, and incubated at 37C for 24-48 hours. A 6.5% Salt Broth Test was conducted by obtaining a tube of 6.5% salt broth, inoculating the broth with the unknown, and incubating it at 37C. For a catalase test, a small amount of unknown was transferred onto a slide. A drop of H2O2 was then added to the slide, and observations were recorded. A Mannitol Fermentation test was then conducted by obtaining a Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) plate. The unknown was streaked onto the plate and incubated inversely at 37C. Next, a Coagulase test was performed by obtaining a vile of citrated rabbit plasma and 3 sterile test tubes. 0.5ml of rabbit plasma was pipetted into each tube, and the unknown was suspended in the plasma using a sterile loop and aseptic technique. The tubes were then incubated at 37C. Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar and MacConkey’s agar tests were similar; after obtaining a plate of each agar, streaked a single line of the unknown onto the plate, and the plates were incubated. The Methyl Red experiment was tested by adding the unknown specimen to a tube of Methyl Red (MRVP) broth, and the tube was incubated. A sulfide, indole production, and motility test, or SIM, was conducted by obtaining a tube of SIM agar. The agar was inoculated with the unknown by the inoculating needle. The sulfide and motility portion of the test was then concluded. After incubation at 37C for 24 hours, the indole test was