The presence of motile bacteria flagella in cell suspensions is analysed by staining with Ryu dye (Heimbrook et al. 1989).

Necessary material

Active culture of the strain (Petri dish or slant).

Methodology

From fresh cultures on solid medium, wet mounts are prepared to check culture mobility by phase-contrast microscopy. Then one or two drops of Ruy dye are deposited on the coverslip, permitting diffusion into the sample. After 5 minutes the flagella, stained dark violet, can be observed under bright field microscopy.

Results include one or two images in jpeg format showing the type of flagellum and its size.

Bibliography

Heimbrook ME, Wang WLL, Campbell G. Staining bacterial flagella easily. 1989. J. Clin. Microbiol. 27, 2612–2615