SungTimon2.2
Classification
Kingdom- Bacteria; Phylum- Firmicutes; Class- Bacilli; Order- Bacillales; Family- Bacillaceae; Genus- Bacillus; Species- Bacillus Megaterium
Our Blast results were inconclusive. Bacillus Megaterium is the "best guess" narrowed down from our biochemical results and cellular and colonial characteristics in the lab**
Species
Genus species
Bacillus Megaterium
(Our second choice was Bacillus Cereus)
Habitat Information
The soil organism was isolated from a partially shaded front yard, underneath an oak tree, in Austin, TX on XXX. The air temperature was X, humidity X%, pressure X, solar radiation UV X. The grid coordinates from NRCS are XX.
Description and Significance
Describe the appearance (colonial and cellular), possible antimicrobial activity etc. of the organism, and why the organism might be significant.
This organism is a gram positive bacillus. This organism possesses endospores. The colonial appearance is circular, smooth in the center, 'grainy' on the outside, a little umbonate, and opaque with a slightly golden appearance.
Kirby Bauer Antimicrobial and Disinfectant Sensitivity Results: Strong Zone of Inhibition for linezolid, cefamandole, azlocillin, vancomycin, sufisozazole, clove, and 10% lysol. Weak Zone of Inhibition for oxacillin, tea tree oil, 100% bleach, and lavender.
Genome Structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? Include S Ribosomal sequence that you obtained from PCR and sequencing here.
Our Blast results were inconclusive, because they did not provide results with an adequate sequence to identify the organism. Our genome information is based off of our use of 'best guess' of what organism it might be by utilizing the biochemical and staining results from the semester.
Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle
Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
B. megaterium is a rod shaped bacteria. Consistent with gram positive bacteria, its cell wall is composed of peptidoglycan.
Physiology and Pathogenesis
Biochemical characteristics, enzymes made, other characteristics that may be used to identify the organism; contributions to environment (if any).
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Specifically, Bacillus Megaterium is a common bacteria found in soil, and is probably not pathogenic.
Various Biochemical Test Results:
NEGATIVE RESULTS INCLUDE: Starch Hydrolysis, Gelatin Hydrolysis, Methyl Red-Voges Proskauer, Citrate test, SIM (negative for sulfur reduction, indole production, nonmotile organism), nitrate reduction, Urea hydrolysis, Eosin methylene blue (no coliforms, lactose fermenters, no growth: meaning possible gram +), Hektoen Enteric (presumptive ID for Gram +), MacConkey Agar (Gram + evidence), Decarboxylation Test, Phenylalanine deaminase, and catalase.
POSITIVE RESULTS INCLUDE: Casein hydrolysis, DNA hydrolysis, Lipid hydrolysis, Triple sugar iron, oxidase, blood agar (beta- complete lysis of RBC), mannitol salt agar (weak positive), phenylethal alcohol, and bile esculin.
Interpretation of Results: Our bacteria is a gram positive organism that possesses the enzymes casease,DNase, ligase, fermentable enzymes, and cytochrome C oxidase. This organism can completely lyse red blood cells, and can weakly ferment mannitol.
References
http://www.eol.org/pages/974186/overview http://www.tgw1916.net/Bacillus/megaterium.html
Author
Page authored by Hsiang-Yuan Sung and Kaleen Timon, student of Prof. Kristine Hollingsworth at Austin Community College.
