Detecting Enterococcus gut bacterium (IMAGE)

Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Detecting Enterococcus gut bacterium

Caption

Bile Esculin Agar (BEA) is a smart medium for detecting Enterococcus, a tough gut bacterium that can withstand bile salts. When the bacterium breaks down a substance in the agar (esculin), the byproduct reacts with iron salts and produces the characteristic black colour seen here. This proves the presence of Enterococcus. 

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Photo: Thorben O. Reiche, NTNU/SINTEF

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