The effect of transition metals and organic acids on Escherichia Coli
School Name
Spring Valley High School
Grade Level
11th Grade
Presentation Topic
Microbiology
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
Escherichia coli is a gram negative bacterium that is commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded organisms such as the human species. The purpose of this study is to see if people could use transition metals and organic acids as an alternative for antibiotics. It was hypothesized that transition metals would inhibit the growth of E.coli more than organic acids. Twelve different variable groups were tested in three sets. The first set was made of two different organic acids groups, glutamic acid and aspartic acid . The second set was made up of two different transition metals:Iron (III) Sulfate and Copper Sulfate. The third set was made of a combination of both the transition metals and the organic acids. E. coli was grown in nutrient broth and exposed to the appropriate independent variable. Growth was measured using optical density. After 24 hours of growth, optical density was measured via absorbance using a SpectroVis at a 420nm. The data was analyzed using a multiple regression test. An ANOVA test was ran based off of the hypotheses H0: μ1 = μ2 = μ3 = μ4, and H1: at least one mean is different, at α = 0.05. The results of the ANOVA showed that at α = 0.05, F(8, 81) = 3.00220, p < 0.001. Based on this, it can be concluded that at least one mean was statistically significant from the others because p < 0.001 < α = 0.05. The variable that inhibited bacterial growth the most was the Iron (III) Sulfate.
Recommended Citation
Sutton, Kierson, "The effect of transition metals and organic acids on Escherichia Coli" (2018). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 179.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2018/all/179
Location
Neville 221
Start Date
4-14-2018 10:15 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
The effect of transition metals and organic acids on Escherichia Coli
Neville 221
Escherichia coli is a gram negative bacterium that is commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded organisms such as the human species. The purpose of this study is to see if people could use transition metals and organic acids as an alternative for antibiotics. It was hypothesized that transition metals would inhibit the growth of E.coli more than organic acids. Twelve different variable groups were tested in three sets. The first set was made of two different organic acids groups, glutamic acid and aspartic acid . The second set was made up of two different transition metals:Iron (III) Sulfate and Copper Sulfate. The third set was made of a combination of both the transition metals and the organic acids. E. coli was grown in nutrient broth and exposed to the appropriate independent variable. Growth was measured using optical density. After 24 hours of growth, optical density was measured via absorbance using a SpectroVis at a 420nm. The data was analyzed using a multiple regression test. An ANOVA test was ran based off of the hypotheses H0: μ1 = μ2 = μ3 = μ4, and H1: at least one mean is different, at α = 0.05. The results of the ANOVA showed that at α = 0.05, F(8, 81) = 3.00220, p < 0.001. Based on this, it can be concluded that at least one mean was statistically significant from the others because p < 0.001 < α = 0.05. The variable that inhibited bacterial growth the most was the Iron (III) Sulfate.
