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TB20
Basic Definitions
BACTERIA:
Any of a group of diverse, ubiquitous, microscopic single-celled microorganisms.
SPORE:
The inactive/dormant, protected/resistant form that some bacteria can temporarily assume, when conditions
are not satisfactory for active metabolism and cell reproduction.
ENZYME: (a/k/a non-living chemical catalyst)
Any of various complex organic substances originating from living microorganisms, and capable of
producing certain chemical changes in organic substances by catalytic action. Enzymes are the chemical
catalysts of living cells.
NOTE : While bacteria metabolize a wide variety of organic material, enzymes are substrate specific. For
example:
vP vProtease enzyme catabolizes (“breaks down”) protein
v Amylase enzyme breaks down starch and carbohydrate
v Lipase enzyme breaks down fat and grease
v Xylanase enzyme breaks down plant material
vC vCellulase enzyme breaks down cellulose
v Urease enzyme breaks down urea
AEROBIC BACTERIA:
Bacteria that require the presence of oxygen to live and function.
ANAEROBIC BACTERIA:
Bacteria that do not require the presence of oxygen to survive—they are capable of living and functioning in
the absence of oxygen.
FACULTATIVE BACTERIA:
Bacteria that are capable of living and functioningeither in the presence of oxygen, or in the absence of
oxygen.
COLONY FORMING UNIT (CFU):
The standard microbiological method used to count bacteria. The number of viable cells that give rise to a
colony of bacteria on a suitable agar medium.
1048 Stinson Drive, Reading PA 19605
Phone: 1-800-548-4568
www.miscoproducts.com
May 2013
Page 2 - TB20
Growth
PH range
Temperature (ºC)
Protease
(breaks down protein)
Amylase
(breaks down starch &
carbohydrates)
Lipase
(breaks down fat & grease)
Esterase
(breaks down fat)
Cellulase
(breaks down cellulose)
Xylanase
(breaks down plant material)
Urease
(breaks down urea)
Basic Definitions
BacillusB
sBacillusB
amyloliquefaciens
Faculatitive*
6 - 10
10 - 50
linchenformis
Faculatitive*A
5 - 10
10 - 50
sBacillusB
subitilism
*AerobicA
4 - 10
10 - 50
sBacillusB
egaterium**p
cAerobic
5 - 10
4 - 45
sBacillus
*pumilus
Aerobic
6 - 10
10 - 50
++
++
++++
+++
+++
++
++
++++
+
+
++
++
++++
+++
+++
++
++
++++
+++
+++
++
+
++++
+++
++++
++
+
++++
+++
++++
+++
++
++
++++
++
++++= Excellent
+++ = Very Good
++ = Good
+
= Moderate
* Faculative: capable of living and functioningeither in the presence of oxygen (aerobic) or in the absence of oxygen
(anaerobic).
** Bacillus megaterium, under laboratory conditions, germinates in one hour or less. MostBacillus strains require a minimum
of four hours to germinate.
1048 Stinson Drive, Reading PA 19605
Phone: 1-800-548-4568
www.miscoproducts.com
May 2013