Discussion on Staphylococcus Epidermidis

Discussion

The purpose of this experiment was to see if varying levels of pH would affect the zone of inhibition of the bacterial growth of Staphylococcus Epidermidis. While performing the experiment, the hypothesis was proven valid. Determining and concluding from the given results, it is justified to state that Sodium Hypochlorite, commonly known as Clorox® bleach, had the most affect on the zone of inhibition. In every trial, bleach was found most effective to prevent the bacterial growth of Staphylococcus Epidermidis. Although red wine vinegar and 50% rubbing alcohol had an effect, bleach had prevented all bacterial growth. The zone of inhibition for bleach in each trial had measured the diameter of the agar plate. In other words, bleach had effectively caused the agar plate to become an uninhabitable environment for Staphylococcus Epidermidis.

Four trials had been conducted during the 3-8 day time span. During each trial, bleach had shown the most effectiveness in a zone of inhibition. As stated by Clorox®, they had stated that bleach kills the presence of Staphylococcus Aureus, Epidermidis' cousin. There is a direct connect between Aureus and Epidermidis. The zone of inhibition for bleach was larger in diameter than of the 50% rubbing alcohol and red wine vinegar. In all trials, red wine vinegar was only able to prevent bacterial growth for only 1 day under incubation. The zone of inhibition shrunk due to more bacterial growth. In Trials 2, 3 and 4, 50% rubbing alcohol was only able to prevent bacterial growth for only 1 day under incubation. The zone of inhibition shrunk due to more bacterial growth. In all trials, there was no sign of bacterial growth for bleach.

In past studies, it is shown that red wine vinegar did have an affect on the zone of inhibition for Staphylococcus Epidermidis. As stated and tested by Sudarshan Bhat, red wine vinegar did prevent bacterial growth. Although the results showed a small zone of inhibition, the results also validated and support the findings those of Bhat. Although red wine vinegar was not the most effective, it did show an indication that it was preventing the bacterial growth of Staphylococcus Epidermidis.

The reason why bleach was found most effective to the prevention of bacterial growth was because bleach has a pH level of 13 which is a base. This also relates to the connection between Clorox® bleach preventing Aureus as well as Epidermidis. As for red wine vinegar, a study was conducted and had proof that red wine vinegar was found to prevent Staphylococcus Epidermidis bacterial growth. Also, for rubbing alcohol, this chemical is used to disinfect and also apply it to injuries to prevent infections of the skin and/or tissue of the human body. Rubbing alcohol had also not worked as effectively since the rubbing alcohol was exposed to oxygen while the sterile paper discs were soaked in the independent variables thus causing