Biochemical reaction confirmation Isolating and identifying Salmonella species
39 were done aseptically by heat fixing and working on clean surfaces. Incubation of TSI
and LIA slants was at 35°C for 24 ± 2 hours; tubes capped loosely to maintain aerobic conditions while incubating slants to prevent excessive H
2
S production. Salmonella in culture would typically produce alkaline red slant and acid yellow butt, with or
without production of H
2
S blackening of agar in TSI. In LIA, Salmonella typically would produce alkaline purple reaction in butt of tube. Distinct yellow in butt of tube
would indicate that it is an acidic negative reaction. However, elimination must not be solely based on this discoloration in the butt of tube. Generally most Salmonella cultures
would produce H
2
S in LIA. Some non- Salmonella cultures produce a brick-red reaction in LIA slants.
After incubation period, the results of reactions were noted and recorded, and those giving typical Salmonella sp. characteristics were transferred into biochemical
reaction medias: MRVP- broth Methyl Red-Vogers Prausker, Urea broth, Simmons citrate agar and Lysine decarboxylase broth. The TSI and LIA cultures that gave typical
Salmonella species reactions yellow butt for TSI cultures; blackening due to H
2
S gas production and LIA slants had purple butt; blackening due to H
2
S gas were then transferred into tubes containing nutrient agar slants for further determination of
establishing the species by serology test for those slants after passing for Salmonella species biochemical reactions using urease test, Simmons citrate agar and MR-VP test.
For presumptive subculturing control stock from Dr Ratih s Salmonella species were used. Using a sterile inoculating needle the center of the colonies were lightly
touched, then inoculation of TSI slant was done by streaking the slant and butt stubbing them. Without flaming, LIA slant were inoculated by stabbing butt twice and then the
slant streaked. Since lysine decarboxylation reaction is strictly anaerobic, therefore, the LIA slants must have deep butt 4 cm. Storing of this picked selective agar plates was at
5-8°C.