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12.6.3: Cetrimide Agar (Pseudomonas P agar)

  • Page ID
    123450
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    Note

    Video review: Cetrimide Agar

    Cetrimide agar contains the chemical cetrimide (cetyl timethylammonium bromide) for the selective inhibition of most bacteria other than Pseudomonas. The medium also stimulates Pseudomonas aeruginosa to produce a number of pigmented compounds, including pyoverdin and pyocyanin. The green water soluble pigment characteristic of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is due to production of a green to blue water-soluble toxin called pyocyanin (see Fig. \(\PageIndex{1)\)). A fluorescent siderophore called pyoverdin, often produced by Pseudomonas, will typically fluoresce when the plate is placed under a short wavelength ultraviolet light (see Fig. \(\PageIndex{2)\)). After a few minutes at room temperature, the plate loses its fluorescence. The fluorescence, however, can be restored by placing the plate back at 37°C for several minutes.

    Fig. \(\PageIndex{1)\): Pseudomonas aeruginosa Growing on Cetrimide Agar with a Positive Oxidase Test

    Fig. \(\PageIndex{2)\): Pseudomonas aeruginosa Growing on Cetrimide Agar and Fluorescing Under Ultraviolet Light

    Photograph of  <i>Pseudomonas 
    aeruginosa</i> growing on Cetrimide agar showing the production of pyocyanin, 
  a green water soluble pigment, as well as a positive  oxidase test. Photograph of <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> 
    growing on Cetrimide agar and fluorescing under ultraviolet light.

    Note the production of pyocyanin, a green water soluble pigment, and the positive oxidase test.

    Note the production of fluorescein, a compound that fluoresces under short wavelength ultraviolet light.

    Copyright; Gary E. Kaiser, Ph.D. The Community College of Baltimore County, Catonsville Campus CC-BY-3.0

    Contributors and Attributions

    • Dr. Gary Kaiser (COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF BALTIMORE COUNTY, CATONSVILLE CAMPUS)


    12.6.3: Cetrimide Agar (Pseudomonas P agar) is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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