Bacterial Identification
1. E. Coli
• Gram negative rods
• Harmless but a few are
pathogenic
• Strains 0157:H7 causes
food illnesses
• Normal bacterial flora in
lower intestines of warm
blooded animals
Sarcina aurantiaca
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Orange pigments
Gram +
Anaerobic
Appears in cuboidal
masses
• Usually harmless
• Found in air and water
Bacillus subtilis
• Gram + obligate aerobe
• Tough endospores
• Can contaminate food,
but rare to cause illness
• Enzymes used in
laundry
detergent
• Natural fungicide
Micrococcus roseus
• Gram +
• Skin: transforms
compounds in sweat
into compounds with an
unpleasant odor
• animal and dairy
products, and
beer.
• water, dust, and
soil.
Bacillus megaterium
• Gram + rods
• Endospores
• Found in soil/forms
spores
• Used to produce
penicillin amidase
Micrococcus luteus
• Gram + cocci
• Normal flora of upper
RT and mouth
• Mammal skin
• Opportunistic
pathogen
Staphylococcus epidermis
• Gram + diplococci
• Catalase +
• Opportunistic pathogen
– Harbor around plastic
medical equip: heart
valves, catheters, IVs
Streptomyces violaceus
A model organism
• Gram + rods
• Produces violet pigments
• New research: antibacteria
and antiviral activities
Serratia marcescens D1
• Gram – rods
• Human pathogen of Respiratory
and UT
– UTI and catheter infections
• Produces red pigment:
prodigiosin
• Found in restrooms; grows well
in tile grout and shower
curtains
Streptococcus lacti
YUM!
• Gram + cocci in short chains
• Production of buttermilk,
cheese (brie, camembert,
colby)