Research: (Include sources)

Paste 6 colored pictures of LIA reactions and write a corresponding description of your
observations and their interpretations.

Salmonella typhimurium on LIA (K/K, H2S+)

These sampled bacteria exhibit both a purple and an alkaline slant and butt with a black
precipitate. The purple slant means the bacteria was not able to deaminate the lysine or it is
negative for lysine deamination. On the other hand, the purple butt denotes positive for lysine
decarboxylation which means cadaverine is formed that neutralized the organic acids formed
by glucose fermentation and thereby reverted its acidic state to an alkaline state. The medium
was also coupled with a black precipitate and its presence indicates that hydrogen sulfide (H 2S)
was produced. Thus, these organisms are considered to be lactose non-fermenters but can
produce H2S.

Shigella boydii on LIA (K/A)

These bacteria demonstrated a purple or an alkaline slant and a yellow or an acidic butt. The
purple slant means that the bacteria do not have the capacity to deaminate the lysine, thereby it
is negative for lysine deamination. Also, the yellow butt indicates negative for lysine
decarboxylation but its change of color means that it was able to ferment glucose only which
made the butt acidic. They can also be considered as facultative anaerobes since it was able to
ferment most glucose in an area where there is low oxygen.

Escherichia coli on LIA (K/K)

These kinds of bacterial species showed both a purple and alkaline slant and butt which means
there are no changes or color within the medium. The purple slant indicates a negative result
for lysine deamination while the purple butt denotes a positive result for lysine
decarboxylation. Also, during lysine decarboxylation, alkaline diamine or cadaverine was
formed which turned the medium from yellow (acidic) to purple (alkaline).

Providencia stuartii on LIA (R/A)

The bacteria on this medium exhibited a red slant and a yellow or an acidic butt. The red slant
denotes a positive result in lysine deamination and was able to form an α-ketocarboxylic acid
that reacted with the iron salt and the oxygen that is present on the surface of the medium and
thereby producing a reddish compound on the top. The yellow or acidic butt indicates
fermentation of glucose sugar within the medium and acid was produced, changing the color of
the medium from purple to yellow. Thus, these kinds of organisms are positive for lysine
deamination and negative for lysine decarboxylation.
Citrobacter freundii on LIA (K/A, H2S+)
These sampled bacteria demonstrate a purple or alkaline slant and a yellow or acidic butt with a
black precipitate and gas production. The purple slant and the acidic butt both indicate a
negative result for lysine deamination and lysine decarboxylation although the change of color
in the butt of the medium was due to glucose fermentation which then produced acid and had a
change of color from purple to yellow. On the other hand, the presence of black precipitate
means that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) was produced due to the reaction between the hydrogen
sulfide with ferric ammonium to produce ferrous sulfide. Also, only Citrobacter spp. Are able to
produce gas since in other organisms, gas production may be irregular or suppressed.

Proteus spp. on LIA (R/A, H2S+)

These bacteria were able to produce a red slant and a yellow or acidic butt with a black
precipitate. The red slant indicates a positive result for lysine deamination due to the reaction
between the iron salt and the oxygen present on the surface of the medium which then gives a
product of α-ketocarboxylic acid that is responsible for giving its red color. On the other hand,
its acidic or yellow butt denotes that it was able to ferment only the glucose and thus produced
an acid which makes the butt yellow. There is also the presence of black precipitate, which
means that hydrogen sulfide was generated. Therefore, these organisms are positive for lysine
deamination, negative for lysine decarboxylation and have hydrogen sulfide production.

Associate the biochemical reaction of LIA agar to certain genera or species.

Reaction Possible Organism(s)
R/A Providencia stuartii, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis
K/A Shigella boydii, Salmonella enterica
K/K Escherichia coli
K/K, H2S+ Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enterica subsp. arizonae

References
https://legacy.bd.com/europe/regulatory/Assets/IFU/Difco_BBL/211363.pdf
https://microbenotes.com/lysine-iron-agar-test/
https://microbenotes.com/lysine-iron-agar-lia/