Microbial nutrition

WILSON R. DELOS REYES JR., RMT, MLS (ASCPi), MSMT, MD

BACTERIA based on Oxygen Requirements
Physiologic requirements of bacteria
According to oxygen requirement
1. AEROBES
- These organisms require oxygen and grow well with
room air
- Air contains 15% to 21% oxygen and 1% CO2
- Example:
- Bordatella, Brucella, Mycobacteria and
Pseudomonas
Physiologic requirements of bacteria
According to oxygen requirement
2. ANAEROBES
- These organisms do not require oxygen to grow
- Three different types:
- Obligate anaerobes
- Facultative anaerobes
- Aerotolerant anaerobes
Physiologic requirements of bacteria
According to oxygen requirement
B. OBLIGATE ANAEROBES
- Absolutely do not require the presence of oxygen
because they die after prolonged exposure to air
- Examples: Clostridium and Bacteroides
Physiologic requirements of bacteria
According to oxygen requirement
B. FACULTATIVE ANAEROBES
- Clinically significant bacteria
- Organisms grow either in the presence or absence
of oxygen
- Examples: Enterobacteriaceae
Physiologic requirements of bacteria
According to oxygen requirement
C. AEROTOLERANT ANAEROBES
- These organisms can survive in the presence of
oxygen but will be unable to perform metabolic
processes unless situated in an anaerobic
environment
- Example: Propionibacterium acne.
Physiologic requirements of bacteria
According to oxygen requirement
3. MICROAEROPHILES
- It is an organism that requires 2% to 10% oxygen
for growth
- Example: Campylobacter and Treponema pallidum
Physiologic requirements of bacteria
According to Carbon Dioxide requirement
CAPNOPHILES
- Require an increased CO2 (5% to 10% CO2)
- Example: Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria
gonorrhoeae and Streptococcus pneumoniae
Physiologic requirements of bacteria
According to Nutritional Requirement
1. As to the carbon source
- Autotrophs use CO2 as the sole source of carbon
- Heterotrophs use reduced, preformed, organic
molecules from other bacteria
Physiologic requirements of bacteria
According to Nutritional Requirement
2. As to the energy source
- Phototrophs are organisms that use light as their
energy source
- Chemotrophs are organisms that utilize the energy
produced by organic or inorganic compounds
oxidation.
Physiologic requirements of bacteria
According to Nutritional Requirement
3. As to the electron source
- Lithotrophs reduce inorganic molecules to be used
in biosynthesis or energy conservation.
- Organotrophs require organic substances (CHO,
lipids) for growth and multiplication.
Physiologic requirements of bacteria
According to Temperature Requirement (35 C to 37 C)
1. Psychrophiles/Cryophiles
- These organisms grow well at 0C (zero degree) to
a maximum of 20 C.
- Example: Listeria monocytogenes and Yersinia
enterocolitica.
Physiologic requirements of bacteria
According to Temperature Requirement (35 C to 37 C)
2. Mesophiles
- These organisms grow 20 C to 45 C
- The most commonly encountered pathogenic bacteria
in the clinical laboratory
Physiologic requirements of bacteria
According to Temperature Requirement (35 C to 37 C)
3. Thermophiles/Hyperthermophiles
- These organisms grow 50 C to 125 C
- Examples: Bacillus stearothermophilus,
Sulfolobus, Pyrococcus, Pyrodictium and Thermus
aquaticus.
Physiologic requirements of bacteria
According to Temperature Requirement (35 C to 37 C)
4. Extremophiles
- Prokayotes that are able to survive in unusual
condition like the absence of oxygen, increased
temperature and living below the earth’s surface
(Bacillus infernus).
Physiologic requirements of bacteria
According to pH
● pH scale is a measure of the hydrogen ion
concentration of an organism’s environment.
● Three different types of organisms according to
pH tolerance.
○ Acidophiles
○ Neutrophiles
○ Alkalophiles
Physiologic requirements of bacteria
According to pH
● Acidophiles - grow at pH 0 to 5.5
● Neutrophiles - grow between pH 5.5 and 8.0 (most
clinically bacteria)
● Alkalophiles - grow between pH 8.5 and 11.5
Note: Optimum pH 6.5 to 7.5
Physiologic requirements of bacteria
According to Moisture
● Moisture is vital for bacterial growth and
susceptibility testing
Physiologic requirements of bacteria
According to Salt Concentration
● Halophiles - require and grow in increased
concentration of sodium chloride.
● Example: Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria
monocytogenes
Physiologic requirements of bacteria
According to Pressure
● Barophiles - organisms that grow rapidly in high-
pressure environments (600 to 1100 atm pressure)
● Example: Photobacterium, Shewanella and Colwellia
Physiologic requirements of bacteria
According to Growth Factors
● Growth factors are substances that are required
by fastidious bacteria for their growth and
multiplication.
● Example of growth factors: amino acids, purines,
pyrimidines and vitamins.