Abstract: Staphylococcus aureus is the most pathogenic bacteria compared to other staphylococcal species. These mucus membrane colonizers are known for causing harmful diseases to humans such as endocarditis, brain and renal abscess, toxic shock syndrome, Staphylococcal scaled skin syndrome and many more. S. aureus has many virulence factors that contribute to its harmfulness. The cell surface structures of S. aureus are involved damage to the host and protection to the organism from the host’s immune system. Although non-invasive, S. aureus is encountered by direct, skin-to-skin contact with another carrier. S. aureus can produce B-lactamase that can break down penicillin. Treatment can be done with other antibiotics however, S. aureus has protein A, which makes the organism resistant to many other antibiotics. Many bacterial physiology tests can be done to understand the metabolism of S. …show more content…
If the nitrate is reduced, it is converted to nitrite. Some bacterial can convert nitrite even further to ammonia and nitrogen gas. In order to assess if the bacteria can reduce nitrite, there will be a presence ammonia or nitrogen gas after the incubation period. Sulfanilic acid an alpha-napthylamine serves as nitrite detectors. If there is nitrite present and it reacts with sulfanilic acid and alpha-napthylamine, there will be red coloration indicating that the bacteria are able to reduce to nitrite. However, if there is no decolorization, zinc needs to be added. Zinc will make sure any remaining nitrate is reduced to nitrite. If after the addition of zinc turns the tube red, it will indicate that the bacteria cannot reduce to nitrite however, the zinc can. If there is no color change after the addition of zinc, results will determine that the bacteria is able to reduce nitrite to nitrogen gas therefor no nitrate left for any zinc to react with. (Cole,