Bacteriofluorescin

/ˌbæktɪrioʊfluːˈɔːrɛsɪn/ noun

Definition

A yellow-green fluorescent pigment produced by certain bacteria, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Etymology

From bacteria + fluorescein (a synthetic fluorescent dye). Discovered in the early 1900s when scientists identified the glowing properties of certain bacterial colonies.

Kelly Says

The green glow from bacteriofluorescin is how hospitals can sometimes detect nasty Pseudomonas infections under UV light—it's like bacteria equipped their own identifying beacon!

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