Lipid plate

The last experiment we attempted concerning the bacteria’s ability to hydrolyze was the Lipid test. This test was to determine whether our bacteria could digest triglyceride. Some bacteria are able to grow where there are lipids present such as skin, dirt, or decomposing organisms. Most lipids are made of tryglycerides which consist of 3 fatty acids and a glycerol. In order to digest triglyceride, some bacteria need to produce lipases to break down the lipid. For this experiment we inoculated the bacteria onto a blue agar plate. If a clear zone appeared around the streak within 48 hours, the bacteria would be positive for lipases production. Our results showed that the bacteria was not positive for lipases production because there was no indication of a clear halo surrounding it. Instead, the plate turned blue-black which determined that the starch was still present.