Staphylococcus Research Paper

Literature Research: Staphylococcus is a type of Gram-positive bacteria that are commonly found together in random clusters. They are sometimes found in the same habitat as Micrococcus and can be differentiated because of the occurrence of cytochromes (5). They are typically facultative anaerobes or microaerophils and are able to produce catalase, making it possible for them to convert hydrogen peroxide to water to avoid potential damage. The major product of fermentation is lactate and they are not able to ferment citrate (4). There are several different species in the genus Staphylococcus such as Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus, closely related to the bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis that was identified in the experiment, is a pathogenic bacterium, unlike S. epidermidis. Staphylococcus aureus is a type of Staphylococcus that can occur both in singles and in pairs. There are several types of capsules found among Staphylococcus aureus the colonies are smooth, raise, circular, and are typically translucent (5). …show more content…
Staphylococcus aureus is able to break down urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide, due to the production of the enzyme urease. It is not, however able to use citrate as their main source of getting carbon. It tests negative for the production of indole as well as motility meaning that it cannot freely move. Staphylococcus aureus carries out butanediol fermentation to produce acetoin and gives a positive result for the Voges-Proskauer Test, while it does not ferment glucose to produce different acids, which gives a negative result for the methyl red test (4). These are examples of tests that make it possible to differentiate from other species of Staphylococcus such as Staphylococcus