Suitable and Unsuitable Micro-Organisms
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Suitable and unsuitable micro-organisms The following lists are selected micro- organisms can differ physiologically and References organisms which present minimum risk given therefore may not give expected results. good practice. As a result of changes to the Where possible, fungi that produce large 1. Updates to the categories in this list are hazard categorisation of certain micro- numbers of air-borne spores should be published from time to time and available only organisms by the Advisory Committee on handled before sporulation occurs, so that the online as a standalone publication The Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP)1, these tables spread of spores into the air and possible Approved List of Biological Agents. See supersede the lists found in the CLEAPSS risks of allergy or the triggering of asthmatic www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/misc208.pdf. Laboratory Handbook (1992), Microbiology: attacks are minimised. This is particularly An HMI Guide for Schools and Further important for some genera, such as 2. Organisations which can be consulted Education (1990), Topics in Safety (1988) and Aspergillus and Penicillium, which produce about the suitability of micro-organisms: Safety in Science Education (1996). very large numbers of easily-dispersed Association for Science Education*; Additionally, the tables include points of spores. CLEAPSS*; Microbiology in Schools Advisory educational use and interest and comment on It should be noted that certain genera of Committee; National Centre for Biotechnology growing and maintaining the cultures. The lists these two fungi, previously listed as Education; Scottish Schools Equipment of micro-organisms are not definitive; other unsuitable for use in schools, are now not Research Centre*. organisms may be used if competent advice is thought to present such a serious risk to obtained2. health, given good practice in culture and (* Members only). It should be noted that strains of micro- handling. See ‘Useful links’ on www.misac.org.uk Bacteria Bacterium Educational use/interest/suitability Ease of use/maintenance Acetobacter aceti Of economic importance in causing spoilage in Needs special medium and very frequent sub- beers and wines. Oxidises ethanol to ethanoic culturing to maintain viability. (acetic) acid and ultimately to carbon dioxide and water. Agrobacterium tumefaciens Causes crown galls in plants; used as a DNA Grows on nutrient agar, but requires 2-3 days' vector in the genetic modification of organ- incubation. isms. Alcaligenes eutrophus In the absence of nitrogen, it produces intra- Grows on nutrient agar. cellular granules of poly-ß-hydroxybutyrate (PHB); was used in the production of biodegradable plastics. Azotobacter vinelandii A free-living nitrogen fixer, producing a fluores- Grows on a nitrogen-free medium. cent, water-soluble pigment when grown in iron (Fe)-limited conditions. Bacillus megaterium Has very large cells; produces lipase, pro- Grows on nutrient agar. tease and also PHB (see Alcaligenes); Gram- positive staining. MiSAC provides resource material, procedures and investigations for practical microbiology for teachers, technicians and students. © MiSAC 2010. Microbiology in Schools Advisory Committee, Marlborough House, Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood, Reading RG7 1AG. E: [email protected]. W: www.misac.org.uk. 1 Bacterium Educational use/interest/suitability Ease of use/maintenance Bacillus stearothermophilus Thermophilic species which grows at 65°C; Grows on nutrient agar. produces lipase and protease. Also used to test the efficiency of autoclaves. Bacillus subtilis† General-purpose, Gram-positive bacterium. Grows on nutrient agar. Produces amylase, lipase and protease. Cellulomonas sp. Produces extra-cellular cellulase. Grows on nutrient agar but also used with agar containing carboxymethylcellulose. Chromatium species A photosynthetic, anaerobic bacterium. Requires special medium and light for good growth. Erwinia carotovora (= E. atroseptica) Produces pectinase which causes rotting in Grows on nutrient agar. fruit and vegetables. Useful for studies of Koch's postulates. Escherichia coli† K12 strain: general-purpose, Gram-negative Grows on nutrient agar. bacterium. B strain: susceptible to T4 bacterio- phage. Janthinobacterium (=Chromobacterium) Produces violet colonies. Grows best at 20oC. Needs frequent subculture and is best grown lividum* on glucose nutrient agar and broth. Lactobacillus species Ferment glucose and lactose, producing lactic Require special medium containing glucose acid; L. bulgaricus is used in the production of and yeast extract and frequent subculturing to yoghurt. maintain viability. Leuconostoc mesenteroides Converts sucrose to dextran: used as a blood Requires special medium as for Lactobacillus. plasma substitute. Methylophilus methylotrophus Requires methanol as energy source; was Requires special medium containing methanol. used for the production of 'Pruteen' single-cell protein. Micrococcus luteus (= Sarcina lutea) Produces yellow colonies; useful in the isola- Grows on nutrient agar. tion of the bacterium from impure cultures. Also used to simulate the effects of disinfec- tants, mouthwashes and toothpastes on more harmful organisms. General-purpose, Gram- positive bacterium. Photobacterium phosphoreum Actively-growing, aerated cultures show biolu- Requires a medium containing sodium chlo- minescence; grows in saline conditions. ride. Pseudomonas fluorescens Produces a fluorescent pigment in the medi- Grows on nutrient agar. um. Rhizobium leguminosarum A symbiotic, nitrogen fixer; stimulates the for- Grows on yeast malt agar; some authorities mation of nodules on the roots of legumes. recommend buffering with chalk to maintain Only fixes nitrogen in plants. viability. Rhodopseudomonas palustris A photosynthetic, anaerobic, red bacterium. Requires light and a special medium, growing Also grows aerobically in the dark. atypically on nutrient agar. Spirillum serpens Of morphological interest. May grow on nutrient agar but requires very frequent subculturing to maintain viability. Staphylococcus albus (epidermidis)** A general-purpose, Gram-positive bacterium, Grows on nutrient agar. producing white colonies. Streptococcus (= Enterococcus) faecalis Of morphological interest, forming pairs or Nutrient agar with added glucose can be used chains of cocci. but grows better on special medium, as for Lactobacillus. Streptococcus (= Lactococcus) lactis Of morphological interest, forming pairs or Can grow on nutrient agar with added glu- chains of cocci. Commonly involved in the cose; some authorities recommend buffering souring of milk; also used as a starter culture with chalk to maintain viability. for dairy products. † Some strains have been associated with health hazards. Reputable suppliers should ensure that safe strains are provided. * Can be chosen for investigations that once required the use of Chromobacterium violaceum or Serratia marcescens. ** This organism has been known to infect debilitated individuals and those taking immuno-suppressive drugs. Some authorities advise against its use. 2 Bacterium Educational use/interest/suitability Ease of use/maintenance Streptococcus thermophilus Ferments glucose and lactose, producing lac- Can grow on nutrient agar with added glu- tic acid; used in the production of yoghurt. cose; some authorities recommend fre- Grows at 50oC. quent subculturing to maintain viability. Streptomyces griseus Responsible for the earthy odour of soil. Grows on nutrient or glucose nutrient agar Grows to form a fungus-like, branching myceli- but better on special medium which um with aerial hyphae bearing conidia. enhances formation of conidia. Produces streptomycin. Thiobacillus ferrooxidans Involved in the bacterial leaching of sulphur- Requires special medium. containing coal. Oxidises iron(II) and sulphur. Demonstrates bacterial leaching of coal sam- ples containing pyritic sulphur. Vibrio natriegens+(= Beneckea natriegens) A halophile, giving very rapid growth. Prone, Requires medium containing sodium chlo- however, to thermal shock with a sudden drop ride. in temperature. Fungi Fungus Educational use/interest/suitability Ease of use/maintenance Agaricus bisporus Edible mushroom; useful for a variety of inves- Grows on compost containing well-rotten tigations on factors affecting growth. horse manure; available as growing 'kits'. Armillaria mellea The honey fungus; causes decay of timber Grows very well on malt agar. Some and tree stumps. Produces rhizomorphs. authorities recommend carrot agar. Aspergillus nidulans* For studies of nutritional mutants. Produces Grows on Czapek Dox yeast agar. Special abundant, easily-dispersed spores - may media required for studying nutritional become a major laboratory contaminant! mutants. Aspergillus niger* Useful for studies of the influence of magne- Requires special sporulation medium for sium on growth and the development of spore investigations. colour. Used commercially for the production of citric acid. Produces abundant, easily-dis- persed spores - may become a major labora- tory contaminant! Aspergillus oryzae* Produces a potent amylase; useful for studies Grows on malt agar; add starch (or protein) of starch digestion. Also produces protease. for investigations. Used by the Japanese in the production of rice wine (saki). Botrytis cinerea Causes rotting in fruits, particularly strawber- Can be grown on malt agar or agar with ries. Useful for studies of Koch's postulates oatmeal. with fruit, vegetables and Pelargonium sp. Important in the production of some