Catalase Test Lab Report Sample

As a result of the tests ran, I was able to identify the unknown bacteria. For Unknown A, I ran six tests. I first isolated the bacterium from the second bacterium and found a clear growth (Table 1, Figure 1). Secondly, I ran a gram stain and found a gram positive, cocci bacterium (Table 1, Figure 2). Third, I ran a catalase test in which was negative (Table 1). From here, I determined a starch hydrolysis test would be necessary to distinguish between different bacteria. The result was negative (Table 1). After starch hydrolysis, I ran an MSA plate, hoping it would give a clear answer as to what the bacterium’s identity was. This result was positive (Table 1, Figure 3). The fifth test I ran on unknown A was motility which resulted in a non-motile characteristic (Table 1, Figure 4). Lastly, to confirm the identity, I ran an oxidase test in which was negative (Table 1). For Unknown B, I ran six tests as well. The first
To start, I did a gram stain of each as this would easily split the list in half as to what each one was. From here, I elected to do a catalase test although it was not a helpful test in determining what Unknown B was, but it was very helpful in eliminating a lot of possibilities for Unknown A as hardly any gram positives are catalase negative as mine was. Once I had it narrowed down to three possibilities from the catalase test, I began looking at differentiations in test results. From this, the next two tests ran were starch hydrolysis, which was negative, and an MSA plate, which was positive for both growth and mannitol fermentation. After obtaining the test results from these two tests, I ran a motility, which was non-motile, and as oxidase test, which was negative, to determine whether my belief was correct. These two tests corresponded with the results that should have happened with Enterococcus faecalis, therefore, I knew I was correct in my