[Skip to Content](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#main-content) [![MilliporeSigma](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/static/logos/purple/millipore_sigma.svg)](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en) Products Cart0 USEN Products [Login / Register](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/oidc-sign-in) [Order Lookup](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/order-lookup) [Quick Order](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/quick-order) Cart0 [Home](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en)[Microbiological Analysis](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/applications/food-and-beverage-testing-and-manufacturing/microbiological-analysis-for-food-and-beverage)Pseudomonas Media and Tests # *Pseudomonas* Media and Tests __Jvo Siegrist__ *Analytix Volume 2007 Article 5* ## Detection, Identification, Differentiation, and Cultivation of *Pseudomonas* Species *Pseudomonas* are motile (one or more polar flagella), rod-shaped, and aerobe Gram-negative bacteria. They are found almost everywhere: in soil, water, plants, and animals. In most cases, it is not pathogenic and can be beneficial. For example, *P. putida* is used as a bio-scrubber to aid in the biodegradation of diverse organic compounds in polluted air and wastewater. However, *P. aeruginosa* is an infamous opportunistic human pathogen most commonly affecting immuno-compromised patients. Along with *P. maltophilia*, it accounts for most human infections. Pathogenic *Pseudomonas* are found throughout the body, most commonly in the urinary tract, respiratory tract, blood, and wounds. ![HiFluoro Pseudomonas Agar under UV light](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/cms-commons/sigmaaldrich/marketing/global/images/technical-documents/articles/food-and-beverage-testing-and-manufacturing/microbiological-analysis/hifluoro-pseudomonas.gif "HiFluoro Pseudomonas Agar under UV light") __Figure 1.__HiFluoro *Pseudomonas* Agar under UV light - [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com)[Media Requirements for *Pseudomonas*](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#media) - [Identification of *Pseudomonas*](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#identification) - [Metabolism in *Pseudomonas*](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#metabolism) [Explore Products](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#non) Rugged and opportunistic, *Pseudomonas* use a wide range of nutritional sources, even very simple nutritional environments without any organic compounds. They can remain viable for a long time in many different habitats, under adverse conditions. They are also widespread, being found in water, saline solutions, utensils, and even in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and disinfectants as well as many natural and manufactured foods. Psychrotrophic (cold-tolerant) *Pseudomonas* species are a significant food spoilage problem in refrigerated meat, fish, shellfish, and dairy products. Because *Pseudomonas* thrive in water systems, they can be the source of contamination in the food and beverage industry. * * * ## [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com)Media Requirements for *Pseudomonas* *Pseudomonas* are not generally fastidious microorganisms. They can grow on very simple media like Kind Agar, for example, which contains a protein hydrolysate, magnesium chloride, potassium sulphate, and agar. Analytical microbiology leverages a microbe's unique biochemistry to aid in its identification. For example, selective *Pseudomonas* media use cetrimide, nalidixic acid, cephaloridine, penicillin G, pimaricin, malachite green, and other inhibitory agents. The proteolytic activity, lipolytic activity, fluorescent pigment formation, nitrate utilization, glutamate utilization, hemolytic reaction, and other biochemical reactions are used in the media for the identification and differentiation of *Pseudomonas* species. ## [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com)Identification of *Pseudomonas* *Pseudomonas* gives negative Voges Proskauer, indole, and methyl red tests, but a positive catalase test. While some species show a negative reaction in the oxidase test, most species, including *P. fluorescens*, give a positive result (__Figure 2__). Another feature associated with *Pseudomonas* is the secretion of pyoverdin (fluorescein, a siderophore), a fluorescent yellow-green pigment under iron-limiting conditions. Certain *Pseudomonas* species may also produce additional pigments, such as pyocyanin (blue pigment, a siderophore) by *P. aeruginosa*, quinolobactin (yellow, dark green in presence of iron, a siderophore) by *P. fluorescens*, a reddish pigment called pyorubrin and pyomelanin (brown pigment). On blood agar, a hemolytic reaction can be observed. ![The sample tests negative for oxidase test indicating the absence of P. fluorescens](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/cms-commons/sigmaaldrich/marketing/global/images/technical-documents/articles/food-and-beverage-testing-and-manufacturing/microbiological-analysis/oxidase-test-negative-control.jpg "Oxidase Test Negative Control") __Figure 2a.__Oxidate test shows a negative result since there is no change in the color. ![The oxidase test shows positive result for P. aeruginosa. This is because when the electron donor is oxidized by cytochrome oxidase enzyme it turns a dark purple.](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/cms-commons/sigmaaldrich/marketing/global/images/technical-documents/articles/food-and-beverage-testing-and-manufacturing/microbiological-analysis/oxidase-test-pseudomonas-fluorescens.jpg "Oxidase Test Pseudomonas Fluorescens") __Figure 2b.__Oxidate test shows positive result when the sample turns deep purple, thus identifies the presence of P. fluorescens. ### Scientific Classification of *Pseudomonas* Kingdom: Bacteria Phylum: *Proteobacteria* Class: *Gamma Proteobacteria* Order: *Pseudomonadales* Family: *Pseudomonadaceae* Genus: *Pseudomonas* ## [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com)Metabolism in *Pseudomonas* *Pseudomonas* utilizes sugars as an energy source by using the Entner-Doudoroff pathway with pyruvate as the end product (dissimilation). The reaction utilizes a different set of enzymes from those used in glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway. Fermentation catabolism is not observed in *Pseudomonas*, but some species, like *P. aeruginosa*, *P. stutzeri* and *P. denitrificans*, can use nitrate as an electron acceptor instead of oxygen. Growth can also occur under anaerobic conditions when the denitrification pathway is used. ## Products for identification and differentiation of *Pseudomonas* We supply a wide array of products for the detection, identification, differentiation, enumeration, and cultivation of *Pseudomonas*, using its biochemical characteristics, including a Gram staining kit, and many types of selective growth media and diagnostic tests. - [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com)[Non-selective broths](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#non) - [Selective Enrichment Broths & Biochemical Identification Broth](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#selective)s - [Non-selective Agars for Cultivation, Enumeration, and Isolation](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#nonselective) - [Non-selective Agars for Differentiation](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#agars) - [Selective Agars for Detection and Isolation](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#detection) - [Selective Agars with Differential System for Differentiation, Detection and Isolation](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#differential) - [Diagnostic Tests for *Pseudomonas*](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#diagnostic) * * * ## Non-selective broths Sorry, an unexpected error has occurred Response not successful: Received status code 500 ## Selective Enrichment Broths & Biochemical Identification Broths Sorry, an unexpected error has occurred Response not successful: Received status code 500 ## Non-selective Agars for Cultivation, Enumeration, and Isolation Sorry, an unexpected error has occurred Response not successful: Received status code 500 ## Non-selective Agars for Differentiation Sorry, an unexpected error has occurred Response not successful: Received status code 500 ## Selective Agars for Detection and Isolation Sorry, an unexpected error has occurred Response not successful: Received status code 500 ## Selective Agars with Differential System for Differentiation, Detection and Isolation Sorry, an unexpected error has occurred Response not successful: Received status code 500 ## Diagnostic Tests for *Pseudomonas* Sorry, an unexpected error has occurred Response not successful: Received status code 500 * * * ### References 1\. Collins FM, Pasteurella, Yersinia, Francisella. 1996. Barron‘s Medical Microbiology. 4. Galveston (TX): University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. 2\. Mead GC, Adams BW. 1977. A selective medium for the rapid isolation of pseudomonads associated with poultry meat spoilage. British Poultry Science. 18(6):661-670. [https://doi.org/10.1080/00071667708416418](https://doi.org/10.1080/00071667708416418) 3\. Meyer J, Geoffroy VA, Baida N, Gardan L, Izard D, Lemanceau P, Achouak W, Palleroni NJ. 2002. Siderophore Typing, a Powerful Tool for the Identification of Fluorescent and Nonfluorescent Pseudomonads. AEM. 68(6):2745-2753. [https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.68.6.2745-2753.2002](https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.68.6.2745-2753.2002) 4\. Lau GW, Hassett DJ, Ran H, Kong F. 2004. The role of pyocyanin in *Pseudomonas* aeruginosa infection. Trends in Molecular Medicine. 10(12):599-606. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmed.2004.10.002](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmed.2004.10.002) 5\. Matthijs S, Tehrani KA, Laus G, Jackson RW, Cooper RM, Cornelis P. 2007. Thioquinolobactin, a *Pseudomonas* siderophore with antifungal and anti-Pythium activity. Environ Microbiol. 9(2):425-434. 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