DIAGNOSTIC TESTS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF BACTERIA

Many different tests have been devised over the years for classification of microorganisms into families, genera, species and even subspecies. Some of these tests are quite simple to perform while others are complicated and may require sophisticated equipment. The tests presented here are among the easier ones that are utilized in major clinical laboratories around the world. These tests are ordered alphabetically in this section. Make sure that you read the complete discussion of each test before you start to perform it.

IMPORTANT: Many of the tests mentioned in the following sections are enzymatic reactions. Therefore to get a correct results, one needs to warm up the culture and all test materials to temperatures between 25-40°C for the reactions to proceed. If you have stored your plates, broth culture or test reagents in the refrigerator, you may need to place them at the 37°C incubator for 15-20 minutes before performing the test.

• AMYLASE TEST (STARCH HYDROLYSIS)
• BILE ESCULIN TEST
• CARBOHYDRATE FERMENTATION TESTS
• CATALASE TEST
• DNASE TEST
• GELATINASE TEST (GELATIN LIQUEFACTION)
• HEMOLYTIC REACTIONS
• MANNITOL SALT AGAR TEST
• MOTILITY TEST
• NITRATASE TEST (NITRATE REDUCTION; DENITRIFICATION)
• NOVOBIOCIN DISC TEST
• OPTOCHIN DISC TEST
• OXIDASE TEST
• OXYGEN REQUIREMENT TEST (Thioglycollate Test)
• PENICILLIN DISC TEST
• SALT TOLERANCE TEST