Which bacterium is known for its ability to ferment lactose?

Which bacterium is known for its ability to ferment lactose?

• A. Staphylococcus aureus
• B. Clostridium perfringens
• C. Escherichia coli
• D. Lactobacillus acidophilus

Answer: (C)

Escherichia coli is recognized for its ability to ferment lactose, which is a significant biochemical characteristic for this bacterium. This ability allows E. coli to utilize lactose as a source of energy, leading to the production of acid and gas. This characteristic is routinely used in microbiology for the identification and differentiation of E. coli in laboratory settings, particularly in selective media such as MacConkey agar, where lactose fermentation results in a visible color change. Lactose fermentation is an essential aspect of microbial metabolism that distinguishes certain bacteria in clinical and environmental samples. In the case of E. coli, the ability to ferment lactose significantly assists in diagnostic microbiology, especially when differentiating it from non-lactose fermenting Enterobacteriaceae. The presence of gas and acid production during fermentation can result in the characteristic turbidity or gas bubbles in liquid media, affirming positivity for lactose fermentation. On the other hand, the other bacteria listed are either not known for lactose fermentation or do not typically ferment lactose in laboratory cultures. Understanding these fermentation patterns is vital for correctly identifying and classifying different bacterial species in various environments.

Escherichia coli is recognized for its ability to ferment lactose, which is a significant biochemical characteristic for this bacterium. This ability allows E. coli to utilize lactose as a source of energy, leading to the production of acid and gas. This characteristic is routinely used in microbiology for the identification and differentiation of E. coli in laboratory settings, particularly in selective media such as MacConkey agar, where lactose fermentation results in a visible color change.

Lactose fermentation is an essential aspect of microbial metabolism that distinguishes certain bacteria in clinical and environmental samples. In the case of E. coli, the ability to ferment lactose significantly assists in diagnostic microbiology, especially when differentiating it from non-lactose fermenting Enterobacteriaceae. The presence of gas and acid production during fermentation can result in the characteristic turbidity or gas bubbles in liquid media, affirming positivity for lactose fermentation.

On the other hand, the other bacteria listed are either not known for lactose fermentation or do not typically ferment lactose in laboratory cultures. Understanding these fermentation patterns is vital for correctly identifying and classifying different bacterial species in various environments.