Question

Given pure culture (labeled A,B,C, and D) of each of the four gram negative bacilli (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Psuedomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus vulgaris?, describe a series of tests that could be set up and then intrepreted to determine the identity of each culture. The use of the crystal ID system is not an acceptable answer.

Microbiology

Answer 1

There are three test that can be performed ti identify the the bacteria.

1. Lactose fermentation test

This test is used to distinguish lactose fermenting and lactose non fermentation bacteria. E.coli and E.aerogenes ferments lactose and P vulgaris and Pseudomonas doesn't ferment Lactose.

2. Indole test

To distinguish E.coli and E.aerogenes. E.coli is indole positive and E.aerogenes is indole negative.

3. Glucose test

This test is to distinguish P vulgaris and Pseudomonas. P vulgaris ferments glucose and Pseudomonas doesn't ferment glucose

Hence we can distinguish this pure culture