How do you tell the difference between M. mycoides and M. subtilis? Both are gram positive spore formers, and I've already done extensive testing on this unknown bacteria (it's half my grade in my microbiology class if I don't get this unknown identified corretly). I've already done a urease test, hemolysis reaction, TSI slant and butt reactions, a starch hydrolysis, sugar fermentation, a lipase test, methyl red, gelatinase, ect... but some of my tests have come back either inconclusive or I'm getting results opposite of what I should be getting. According to my data, I have it narrowed down to these two. What is a test I can use to tell a definitive difference? Maybe something that shows a difference on colony appearance on certain types of agar? Or can someone direct me to a website with more information on the description of both of these bacteria?
2006-10-21 05:20:08 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Virgodoll...yes, you're right, sorry for the typo..it's B.subtilis and B. mycoides, not Mycobacillus...thanks
2006-10-21 07:46:30 · update #1
You found one at last. Sorry it took so long.
B. subtilis and B. mycoides?
well since they belong to the same genus they are likely to have very similar properties. Have you considered antibody tests or some other serological method? The antigen eptioptes are likely to be different for each of the two species, so that is my recomendation. Perhaps ELIZA test infact. Yes do an ELIZA.
Or you could make some radiolabelled monoclonal antibodies to a known sample of one of them eg subtilis then add that to your unkown sample, wash off remainder and look for the radio label.
Hope that helps, feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.
2006-10-21 07:58:32 · answer #1 · answered by Bacteria Boy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Instead of doing an exhaustive battery of enzyme assays, I would just sequence the 16S rRNA (such as by RT-PCR and cloning) and compare to a reference database.
http://rdp.cme.msu.edu/
That would give a conclusive identification in a fairly short time.
2006-10-21 22:59:19 · answer #2 · answered by Slackenerny 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
M subtilis or B subtilis?
2006-10-21 06:17:05 · answer #3 · answered by virgodoll 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look up growth rates, there should be a serious difference in them.
2006-10-21 07:30:45 · answer #4 · answered by lizettadf 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I know one but....we broke up....sorry
2006-10-21 05:24:08 · answer #5 · answered by just lQQkin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they don't normally hang on YAHOO!
2006-10-21 05:21:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋