H2S Test- Objective, Principle, Procedure, Results, Limitations

Objective of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Test

To determine the ability of the organism to produce hydrogen sulfide.

Principle of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Test

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production test is used for the detection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas produced by an organism. It is used mainly to assist in the identification of members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. H2S is produced by certain bacteria through the reduction of sulfur-containing amino acids like cysteine, methionine or through the reduction of inorganic sulfur compounds such as thiosulfates, sulfates, or sulfites. The hydrogen sulfide production can be detected by incorporating a heavy metal salt containing iron or lead as an H2S indicator to a nutrient culture medium containing cysteine and sodium thiosulfates as the sulfur substrates. Hydrogen sulfide, a colorless gas, if produced reacts with the metal salt-forming visible insoluble black precipitate of ferrous sulfide.

Media Used

SIM Medium

Composition per liter:

Pancreatic digest of casein………………………….. 20.0 gm

Peptic digest of animal tissue……………………….. 6.1 gm

Agar………………………………………………………….. 3.5 gm

Fe(NH4)2(SO4)2·6H2O…………………………………. 0.2 gm

Na2S2O3·5H2O……………………………………………. 0.2 gm

pH 7.3 ± 0.2 at 25°C

Procedure of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Test

  1. Inoculate the organism into labeled tube by means of stab inoculation in SIM medium.
  2. Incubate the inoculated tubes at 37°C for 24-48 hours.
  3. Observe for the formation of black precipitate on the medium.

Result Interpretation of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Test

Result Interpretation of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Production Test

Positive result: blackening on the medium

Negative result: no blackening on the medium

Limitations

  1. H2S production may be inhibited on TSI for organisms that utilize sucrose and
    suppress the enzyme mechanism that results in production of H2S.
  2. SIM is more sensitive in the detection of H2S than either TSI or KIA, because
    of its semisolid nature, its lack of interfering carbohydrates, and the use of
    peptonized iron as an indicator.
  3. Lead acetate paper is 10 times more sensitive than other media.
  4. Lead acetate is toxic to bacteria and may inhibit the growth of some bacteria. Do not allow the media to touch the strip.

Quality Control

Positive control: Proteus vulgaris

Negative control: Escherichia coli

About Author

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Sagar Aryal

Sagar Aryal is a microbiologist and a scientific blogger. He attended St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar, Kathmandu, Nepal, to complete his Master of Science in Microbiology. He worked as a Lecturer at St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar, Kathmandu, Nepal, from Feb 2015 to June 2019. After teaching microbiology for more than four years, he joined the Central Department of Microbiology, Tribhuvan University, to pursue his Ph.D. in collaboration with Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Saarbrucken, Germany. He is interested in research on actinobacteria, myxobacteria, and natural products. He has published more than 15 research articles and book chapters in international journals and well-renowned publishers.

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