The Effectiveness of Disinfectants on Pseudomonas fluorescens Michelle Alvarez, Kadija Bangurah & Paige Stox Department of Microbiology North Carolina State University
Inspiration How effective are your everyday household cleaners against bacteria? Does it really kill 99% of germs?
Pseudomonas fluorescens Gram-Negative Rod- Shaped Multiple flagella Soil and marine environments Obligate aerobe The optimum growth temperature is 25-30 degrees Celsius Produces the antibiotic Mupirocin which treat skin, ear, and eye disorders Nonpathogenic and lack virulence factors
Problem/ Hypothesis Problem: Which disinfectant will be the most effective on killing Pseudomonas fluorescens? Hypothesis: Clorox Bleach Gel will be the most effective on killing Pseudomonas fluorescens.
(9) Disinfectants used: Method/Materials (9) Disinfectants used: Vinegar- Acetic Acid Hand Sanitizer- ethyl alcohol Clorox Gel Bleach- Sodium Hypoclorite Pine Sol- Pine Oil Hand Soap- Sodium Laureth Sulfate Clorox Wipes- n- Alkyl-Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chlorde Lysol Spray- Hydrogen Peroxde Dish Detergent- Triclosan Shampoo- Ammonium Laureth Sulfate Bioscreen C instrument 10x Nutrient Broth dH20 Culture: Pseudomonas fluorescens Series of Dilutions: 1: 20 1: 30 1: 50 1: 100 1: 1,000 1: 10,000 1: 1,000,000 Optimal Density is measured by the bioscreen C instrument for 60 hours
Preliminary Trial 1
1:10,000 dilution
1:100,000 dilution
Conclusion The top two disinfectants that worked the best at inhibiting bacteria growth were Pine Sol and Clorox Bleach Gel. At 1:100,000 dilution our culture started to grow and both disinfectants were no longer capable of killing our bacteria. Therefore our hypothesis was supported!
Why? Pine Sol: Pine Oil Clorox Bleach Gel: Sodium Hypochlorite
Questions?