How do you distinguish Bacteria gena Bacillus and Clostridium?
Catalase test – mix some of a well isolated suspect colony (not grown on Blood Agar) with hydrogen peroxide A Bacillus spp will produce a rapid bubbling in the liquid- a positive reaction Clostrium spp produce no bubbles -a negative reaction The bubbles are created by the enzyme catalase Bacillus spp can grow aerobically (i.e.in the presence of oxygen) and therefore produce catalase to protect themselves from the toxic by-products of oxygen metabolism. Clostridium spp only grow anaerobically (in conditions with no oxygen) and therefore do not require or make catalase Bacillus spp are also able to grow in anaerobic conditions and continue to make catalase when they do.
