VetBact
VetBact logo

VetBact

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Veterinary bacteriology: information about important bacteria
Veterinary bacteriology


Show all biochemical tests

Hydrogen sulfide production

General

Some bacteria can metabilize certain sulfur containing compounds under production of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic, flamable and badly smelling gas (smells like rotten eggs). If soluble iron or lead salts (for instance ferric citrate) is used in a so-called H2S-medium, which should also contain sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3), they can react with H2S, if present, under formation of black insoluble iron and lead sulfide, respectively.

Method

  1. Perform a deep inoculation in the H2S medium with bacteria from one colony.
  2. Incubate the tube at 30-37ºC during 24-48 h.
  • Positive test result: a black precipitate in the medium.
  • Negative test result: no precipitate in the medium.

Use

The test can be used for differentiation of, among other bacteria, certain Campylobacter spp.


Updated: 2012-12-11.

Recently Updated

Recent blog posts


Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences