Demonstration of Phosphatases and Lipase in Bacteria and True Fungi by Staining Methods and the Effect of Penicillin on Phosphatase Activity

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Abstract
The Gomori methods for acid and alkaline phosphatases and lipase were employed for the staining of a variety of bacteria and fungi. Localized areas within the organisms gave positive stains in certain instances, suggestive of an internal structure or inhomogeneity. Manganous and Mg ions along with alanine in the culture agar activated the bacterial enzymes and markedly increased their staining intensity. Penicillin, in concs. sufficient to arrest completely the growth of certain bacteria, had no significant effect on the phosphatase activities of these bacteria, as demonstrated separately by staining ability and quantitative measurement.