Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

My son is wanting to do a science project on natural remedies versus antibiotic ointment to see which one stops the growth of bacteria (which can cause an infection in the wound). Which bacteria is good to test this on? I was told serratia marcescens? Staph would be the ideal bacteria but can order than without going thru a college or university.

Thanks

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Doing a science project on natural remedies versus ointments on bacteria in wounds. Any suggestions for eye catching title?

Maybe "The Battle on Bacteria!"
Cool project!
Lots of Luck!
~KikiM

You want to use both a gram positive bacteria and a gram negative one. Staph. epidermidis is a good non-pathogenic gram positive cocci. E. coli is a good gram negative bacilli. Both are commonly used, and are easy to grow on simple media like TSA.

S. epi and E. coli are good bacteria to work with, but I see a potential problem. What will you use as a control for the antibiotic ointment? Ideally you would have the ointment without antibiotics. Perhaps just some vaseline or petroleum jelly. Look on the label of your antibacterial ointment and see if it can give you some insight.