Pseudomonas stutzeri

Characteristics and identification steps

 Pseudomonas stutzeri

1. Classification
Family: Pseudomonadaceae
Genus: Pseudomonas
Species: P.stutzeri

2. Habitat
a nonfluorescent denitrifying bacterium widely distributed in the environment
has also been isolated as an opportunistic pathogen from humans
 Pseudomonas stutzeri
3. Physiological properties
The species has a wide range of growth temperatures (from 4°C - 45°C). Strains that grow at low temperatures are mainly those isolated
from cold habitats. Most strains grow at 40°C and 41°C, some at 43°C. The optimum temperature for growth is approximately 35°C.
no strain tolerates acidic conditions;
Some strains have received particular attention because of specific metabolic properties (such as denitrification, degradation of aromatic
compounds, and nitrogen fixation). Furthermore, some strains have been shown to be naturally transformable and have been studied
extensively for their capacities for transformation.

4. Culture media
General, non-selective media:
Plate Count Agar
CLED Agar
Columbia Agar + 5% sheep blood
Tryptone Glucose Extract Agar (TGE Agar)

Selective media:
Cetrimide Agar (Pseudomonas selective agar base)
Pseudomonas Agar Base + Pseudomonas CN Selective Supplement

Culture method:
Incubation: Aerobic condition
Time and Temperature: 30°C - 37°C, 24 - 48 h Plate count Agar (PCA) Cetrimide Agar
 Pseudomonas stutzeri
5. Macroscopic description

Speed of growth: small, less than 2 mm diameter

Color: white to cream
Form: irregular, with undulate margin; may be wrinkled (rugose)
Elevation: convex
Surface: dry texture
Opacity: opaque

CLED Agar

Cetrimide Agar
 Pseudomonas stutzeri

6. Microscopic morphology

Gram negative bacteria, 0.5-1 by 1.5-5 µm

Rod shape
Non-spore forming
Motile organism with monotrichous flagellation
The cells exist single or in pair

Observation: strains might appear different depending on their type !!!

Pseudomonas stutzeri local strain

Pseudomonas stutzeri strain from catalog
 Pseudomonas stutzeri

7. Biochemical characters:
Oxidase positive
Catalase positive
Nitrates reduced (reaction may be delayed under semi-anaerobic conditions)
Rapid starch hydrolysis
Can utilize as carbon sources: citrate, glucose, maltose, fructose, galactose, starch
and glycerol Oxidase test Catalase positive test
Does not hydrolyze gelatin or arginine
Egg –Yolk reaction is negative

8. Reproduction:
Asexually through binary fission
In this process the bacterium, which is a single cell, divides into two identical daughter cells. Binary fission begins when the DNA of the bacterium
divides into two (replicates).
The bacterial cell then elongates and splits into two daughter cells each with identical DNA to the parent cell.
 Pseudomonas stutzeri

9. API Identification
Perform API 20 NE according to the bellow decision tree:
 Pseudomonas stutzeri

10. Characteristic sign for differentiation of Pseudomonas spp:

CHARACTERISTIC Pseudomonas stutzeri Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pseudomonas fluorescens Pseudomonas putida

Fluorescent, difusable pigments
Linden/Grape smell
Growth at 4 ° C
Growth at 37 ° C
Growth at 42 ° C
Lactose fermenter
Haemolysis
Wrinkled, leathery, dry
Colony appearance
Microscopic view
Unipollar flagellum
Multipollar flagellum
+ +
-
pyocyanine
- +
- -
+ +
- +
- -
- +
Large, flat and spreading,
serrated edge and a metallic
and adherent
sheen
0.5-1 by 1.5-5 µm 0.5-0.8 by 1.5-3.0 µm
+ -
- +
+
pyoverdine pyoverdine
- -
+ -
- +
- -
- -
- -
Produce diffusible yellow to
Produce diffusible
blue, green fluorescent
fluorescent pigment
pigment
0.7-0.8 by 2.3-2.8 µm 0.7-1.1 by 2-4 µm
+ -
- +
 Pseudomonas stutzeri
Characteristic sign for differentiation of Pseudomonas spp. on Agar: CLED Agar
CLED Agar

Pseudomonas aeruginosa on CLED Agar

Pseudomonas fluorescens on CLED Agar Pseudomonas stutzeri on CLED Agar Pseudomonas aeruginosa on CLED Agar

Pseudomonas fluorescens on Cetrimide Agar Pseudomonas aeruginosa on Cetrimide Agar

 Pseudomonas stutzeri

Characteristic sign for differentiation of Pseudomonas spp. on Agar:

Pseudomonas fluorescens on Cetrimide Agar Pseudomonas stutzeri on Cetrimide Agar Pseudomonas aeruginosa on Cetrimide Agar