Unknown Bacteria

Identification of an Unknown Bacteria using Microbiological Techniques

Introduction

Microorganisms surround us everywhere. They are not visible, but they are very important. It is estimated that only 1% of bacteria was discovered and studied. Discovering and studying new bacteria can bring many benefits to humans, including cures to many diseases. Some bacteria are known to cause disease, others are naturally found in foods. Bacterial identification is very important in medical treatments. Many treatments depend on the identity of the bacteria, and also some bacteria are used in making certain antibiotics. Bacteria are involved in many processes, and we would not be able to survive without them. In this study, microbiological techniques are used to determine the identity of an unknown culture and determine its importance in different fields.

Materials and Methods

After the slant with unknown culture was received from the instructor a new slant was inoculated on Trypticase Soy Agar. Both slants were incubated at 25oC for two days. Then the original slant was used as working stock and the second slant was placed in the refrigerator as a reserve stock. After the unknown culture was obtained, pure culture streaks were done on two Trypticase Soy Agar plates. One plate was incubated at 25oC and the other one was incubated at 37oC.

A gram stain was performed on the unknown bacteria. After a smear was prepared, dried and heat fixed, it was stained in the following way. First, crystal violet stain was applied for two minutes. Then the slide was washed with water to remove any excess stain. The slide was then flooded with iodine for one minute and again washed with water. Then it was placed on an angle and carefully added an acetone-alcohol decolorizing solution one drop at a time on the slide. When the color stopped coming off, the slide was washed with water quickly to stop decolorizing. Then safranin dye was applied for one minute...