Hemolysis is an important diagnostic feature in microbiology. There are three main types of hemolysis that can be observed on blood agar:
Alpha Hemolysis: This is a partial hemolysis resulting in a greenish discoloration around the colonies. It is typically associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae. Beta Hemolysis: This is a complete hemolysis resulting in a clear zone around the colonies. It is seen with organisms such as Streptococcus pyogenes. Gamma Hemolysis: This indicates no hemolysis and is associated with non-hemolytic bacteria.
