Title: Biotechnology
Introduction: The purpose of this lab report is to demonstrate more safe and effective ways to genetically-engineer natural flora of pest insects in order to create a recently discovered insecticidal protein. The indole test was used in this lab. This test determines whether the microbe produces indole from the amino acid tryptophan. The media used are the Sulfide-Indole-Motility (SIM) medium and Tryptone broth medium. This is very essential in the field of microbiology because it has a content that limits bacterial swimming.

Procedure: What I did first was to inocule the tryptone broth at 37 degrees Celsius and click on the “Next Day” button, then I retrieved the sample and added Kovac’s reagent with the dropper tool. After wards I inoculated the Phenol Red Mannitol Broth and clicked the “Next Day” button. I continued to do the same thing for the Methyl Red Test and added the methyl red reagent.

Observation and Results: Based on the experiment, the reagents produce a cherry-red ring floating above the culture medium. The cherry-red ring indicates that the test was positive. However, if it was negative, the ring would have been yellow.

Discussion: The red cherry ring specifies that the tests are positive. The reason for this is because I added Kovac’s reagent to the SIM cultures. Some of the bacteria have the ability of deamination for its amino acids because it has the enzyme tryptophanase, leading to the hydrolxation of tryptophan.

Conclusion: In conclusion, this test proved for a safer way to genetically engineer natural-flora of pest insects in order to produce a recently discovered insecticidal protein. The bacteria have tested positive to be motile.