AboutChris Bemes Expertise I will answer questions relating to the identification of bacterial and fungal isolates using phenotypic (macroscopic/microscopic appearance, biochemical bench tests, fatty-acid analysis) as well as genotypic (RiboPrinting) methods. I can also answer questions relating to environmental microbiology, especially those specifically relating to the pharmaceutical industry. I am less familiar with clinical microbiology.
Experience I have worked within the biotech industry for 9 years, most of that time spent in a Quality Control Microbiology laboratory setting.
Within the laboratory, I routinely performed bioburden testing; sterility testing; gel-clot and kinetic LAL testing; biological indicator testing; stability testing; microbial limits testing; media performance/growth promotion testing; microbial identifications testing using API, Vitek, MIDI (GC-MIS) and RiboPrinter identifications systems; total/fecal coliform testing; environmental monitoring; media preparation; stock culture maintenance; qualification of identification test kits and QuantiCult Plus organisms. I executed the QC validation of the DuPont Qualicon RiboPrinter Microbial Characterization System. I also supported sites internationally with the fungal/microbial identification process, the RiboPrinter assay, stock culture maintenance and the microbial identification process flow.
Organizations Nationally Registered Microbiologist, American Society of Microbiology (2005)
Publications Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Education/Credentials B.S. in Microbiology (2000)
Awards and Honors Received my company's 'Best Practice Award' for the Validation of the RiboPrinter Microbial Characterization System, 2004
Are there any bacteria that feed on nasal mucus? If so, do they produce any colors and odors as a resulting of feeding on the mucus? Will it smell like heated stale Swiss cheese? What color? When bacteria feed on mucus, do they produce any slimy substances of their own? Also, if mucus passes through the colon, will the fecal bacteria feed on it?
Thanks,
Green
P.S. These are not homework questions. These are questions of my own interest.
Answer Hi Green,
While I may not be the best expert at answering your question, I appreciate your curiosity, so I will do my best to respond.
Bacteria are very good at finding niches in which to live - making use out of a wide variety of nutrient sources. There are certainly bacteria within the nasal passage, however they generally get there through inhalation. The mucus catches them and normally prevents them from entering the lungs. The mucus contains antibodies and other bacteria-fighting defenses, which are there to kill the ensnared bacteria. See: http://www.jalanetipot.com/sinus-articles/sinus-passage.html
The nasal mucus is eventually swallowed into the stomach, where it (along with any surviving bacteria) is introduced to the gastric juices (namely, hydrochloric acid). This extremely acidic environment, in addition to breaking down your food, also acts as an additional defense against infection as it typically kills off any remaining bacteria present. This acidic environment also breaks down the nasal mucus, as it is digested.
Some bacteria, when they grow to large enough numbers to see on an agar plate, will produce slime:
Bacteria, when grown to sufficient numbers, can also produce very unique smells. Pseudomonas aeruginosa smells somewhat like grapes. Serratia liquefaciens smells a lot like canned corn.
However, the body's natural defenses in the nasal passage and the stomach acid would most likely prevent the bacteria found in those locations from growing to sufficient numbers to see or smell them.
The mucus present in the colon is not nasal mucus (as that was broken down by digestion). Rather, it is produced by the intestinal mucosa and aids in the passage of stool and also to protect the intestines from infection. During an intestinal infection, more mucus will be produced by the body to further aid in the protection of the intestines and probably to help move the infection along so that it can be eliminated.
Here are a couple interesting websites you may enjoy:
I hope that I have helped answer your questions, or at least given you an even greater interest in microbiology. It is a fascinating subject, and if you continue to be interested in it, there are lots of companies (particularly in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries) that hire college grads to identify bacterial organisms isolated from the environment. I started out my career doing that years ago, and it was really interesting and a lot of fun too.
