LITMUS MILK

Description

Milk contains the carbohydrate lactose along with three main proteins i.e. casein, lactalbumin and lactoglobulin. Therefore, an organism may exhibit one or several of the following metabolic properties in litmus milk, each specific for a particular species aiding bacterial identification. The various metabolic functions are lactose fermentation, litmus reduction, clot formation, peptonization (digestion) and gas formation. Litmus Milk is a differential medium used to determine different metabolic functions. Litmus Milk is also useful in the maintenance and propagation of lactic acid bacteria. Litmus Milk is the most useful medium in dairy industry as it is a reliable indicator of bacterial action on milk. For detection of Clostridium perfringens in water, inoculate freshly heated tubes of Litmus Milk with various quantities of water and heat at 80?C for 10-15 minutes to destroy non-spore-forming organisms. Examine after every 24 hours for positive Stormy Clot reaction at 35?C for up to 5 days. Anaerobiosis in Litmus Milk can be obtained by adding a small heated iron nail or 0.1 gram of reduced iron to the medium.