NUTRIENT AGAR (OXIDASE) (VEG.)

Description

Nutrient Agar (Oxidase) (Veg) is prepared by completely replacing animal based peptones with veg peptones. This medium is the modification of Nutrient Agar recommended by APHA for differentiation of the coliform bacteria on the basis of presence of enzyme cytochrome oxidase. Cytochrome oxidase is an iron-containing porphyrin enzyme that participates in the electron transfer mechanisms and in the nitrate metabolic pathways of some bacteria. Nutrient Veg Agar plates are streak inoculated to obtain isolated colonies. The isolated colony is used for oxidase testing on an impregnated filter paper. A dark purple colour that develops within 10 seconds is a positive oxidase test. Coliform bacteria are oxidase negative.