Isolation and Identification of Bacillus cereus from Fish and their Handlers from Jammu, India

Abstract

The aim of the study is to know the occurrence of B. cereus and level of contamination with B. cereus in fish from Jammu region. In this study 140 samples were collected from various parts of Jammu. Out of 140 samples 44 (31.42%) samples showed characteristic peacock blue colored colonies on selective PEMBA. On Gram staining all these isolates were Gram positive rods and sometimes spores were also seen. Biochemical characterization was done to identify B. cereus isolates was done. Forty four (44) isolates were subjected to various biochemical tests but only 39 (27.85%) isolates showed characteristic biochemical features as that of B. cereus. All the 39 isolates were positive for catalase test, citrate utilization test and motility. Thirty seven (94.87%) B. cereus isolates hydrolyzed starch and produces beta-hemolysis on sheep blood agar. All the 39 Bacillus cereus isolates were positive for nitrate reduction test and Voges- Proskauer test but negative for oxidase test.