Multiple choice

Which of the following organisms exhibits selective growth and grape juice-like aroma on cetrimide agar?

  1. Staphylococcus aureus

  2. Escherichia coli

  3. Pseudomonas aeruginosa

  4. Proteus mirabilis

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Pseudomonas selectively grows on cetrimide agar. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, a quaternary ammonium and cationic detergent, is the component of cetrimide agar and allows for the selective isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, when in contact with bacteria, causes the release of nitrogen and phosphorus from the bacterial cell. Organisms other than P. aeruginosa are unable to withstand this germicidal activity. Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces a characteristic fruity or grape juice-like aroma due to the production of an aromatic compound called aminoacetophenone.