  Somebacteria produce the enzyme catalase,

which is an iron porphyrin protein

 This enzyme is responsible for the decomposition
of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen
 
H2O2 CATALASE H2O + O2
 
 Procedures:

Emulsify about 1 or 2 colonies of Staphylococcus

organism from a plate culture with a drop of
saline on a slide.
Add a drop of hydrogen peroxide.
Observe for air bubbles
 Observation:

 Positive test
• presence of air bubbles
• Bubbling upon the addition of hydrogen peroxide
is indicative of the presence of catalase for this
organism.
• Note, most aerobic organism make catalase.
• Differentiates Staphylococcus from Streptococcus
All Staph (+)
All Strep (-)

 Negative test – no air bubbles