title: A report on the biochemical analysis of Mycobacterium W.
abstract: A mycobacterial strain known as Mycobacterial strain W was analysed for its growth characteristics and biochemical traits. This strain was found to be a rapid grower, with luxurient growth on Lowenstein-Jensen medium, Dubos agar, Middlebrook's agar and Sauton's medium. Colonies were smooth, convex and nonpigmented. Some of the colonies which appeared rough were similar to smooth colonies at least in biochemical characteristics. This organism was tolerant to wide range of temperatures and to chemical substances like thiophene - carboxylic acid hydrazide, isoniazid, sodium chloride but not to bile salts. It was negative for niacin production, for various amidases, urease production, 3 day arylsulfatase test and also for Tween 80 hydrolysis. On the other hand this strain was found to be positive for semiquantitative catalase, heat resistant catalase, nitrate reduction, sodium salicylate degradation, tellurite reduction, 14 day arylsulfatase test and fermentation of fructose. This organism could utilize sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite as sources of nitrogen but didn't exhibit any utilization of fructose, arabinose as only sources of carbon. Significance of these findings is discussed.
mesh_terms: D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism