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Biochemical Test

Biochemical tests are the tests that are performed on different bacteria for their identification on the basis of their biochemical activities towards different biochemical compounds.

  • Biochemical tests are one of the traditional methods for the identification of microorganisms, usually performed with phenotypic identification.
  • For many years these methods were employed extensively, and they continue to be used nowadays, especially in some laboratory routines where a particular type of microorganism has to be identified rapidly.
  • The ability of microorganisms to utilize certain biomolecules, resulting in useful organic compounds for themselves forms the basis of various biochemical tests.
  • Biochemical tests are of different types, where the identification or distinction between different microorganisms is made on various bases.
  • One of the traditional methods commonly used is a simple visual detection of the growth of the organism in the presence of essential nutrients by increased turbidity in the liquid medium.
  • In other tests, however, the results are based on the change in color of the medium as a result of the change in the pH of the medium.
  • Microorganisms can be classified into different groups on the basis of their reaction to such tests. Some tests even allow the distinction of microorganisms to the species level.
  • Biochemical tests are thus, essential as they are inexpensive and relatively simple to perform.
  • The physiology of bacteria and other microorganisms differs from one another, which allows for the differentiation of such microorganisms.
  • Biochemical tests, however, have some disadvantages. Despite being inexpensive and allowing both quantitative and qualitative information about the diversity of microorganisms present in a sample, these methods are laborious and time-consuming, and results are only observed after several days.
  • In some cases, false positives are obtained, especially when considering similar microbial species.

Gelatin Hydrolysis Test- Principle, Procedure, Types, Result, Uses

January 27, 2022January 23, 2022 by Anupama Sapkota
Gelatin Hydrolysis Test- Principle, Procedure and Result Interpretation

Gelatin Hydrolysis Test Definition Gelatin hydrolysis test is a biochemical test performed as a presumptive test for the identification of Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, and other Gram-positive bacilli. Gelatin hydrolysis test is … Read more

Esculin Hydrolysis Test- Principle, Procedure, Results, Uses

January 27, 2022January 23, 2022 by Anupama Sapkota
Esculin Hydrolysis Test- Principle, Procedure and Result Interpretation

What is the Esculin Hydrolysis Test? Esculin hydrolysis is a useful test in the differentiation of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria covering a broad spectrum of aerobes, facultative anaerobes, and … Read more

Lipase Test- Objectives, Principle, Procedures, Results, Uses

January 27, 2022January 22, 2022 by Sagar Aryal
Result Interpretation of Lipase Test

Objectives of Lipase Test The objective is to identify bacteria capable of producing the exoenzyme lipase. The Lipase Test is used to detect and enumerate lipolytic bacteria, especially in high-fat dairy … Read more

DNase Test- Definition, Principle, Procedure, Result, Uses

January 27, 2022January 22, 2022 by Anupama Sapkota
DNase Test Agar- Principle, Procedure and Result Interpretation

Deoxyribonuclease (DNase) Test Definition Deoxyribonuclease (DNase) Test is a biochemical test performed to differentiate organisms on the basis of their ability to produce the DNase enzyme. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is … Read more

Optochin Susceptibility Test- Principle, Procedure and Results

May 4, 2022January 21, 2022 by Sagar Aryal
Optochin Susceptibility Test- Principle, Procedure and Results

Objectives of Optochin Susceptibility Test To determine the effect of Optochin (ethyl hydrocupreine hydrochloride) on an organism. To differentiate between alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus pneumoniae from other alpha-hemolytic viridans Streptococci. Principle of Optochin Susceptibility Test … Read more

Novobiocin Susceptibility Test- Principle, Procedure, Results, Uses

January 27, 2022January 21, 2022 by Sagar Aryal
Result Interpretation of Novobiocin Susceptibility Test

Objectives of Novobiocin Susceptibility Test To determine the susceptibility pattern of a bacterium to novobiocin. To distinguish or differentiate Staphylococcus saprophyticus from other coagulase-negative staphylococci. Principle of Novobiocin Susceptibility Test Novobiocin is an antibiotic … Read more

PYR Test- Objectives, Principle, Procedure, Result, Limitations

January 27, 2022January 21, 2022 by Sagar Aryal
Result Interpretation of PYR Test

Objectives of Pyrrolidonyl Arylamidase (PYR) Test To determine the ability of organism to produce L-pyrrolidonyl arylamidase enzyme. It aids in the presumptive identification of group A streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes) and Enterococci … Read more

Methyl Red (MR) Test- Principle, Procedure, Results, Uses

January 27, 2022January 21, 2022 by Sagar Aryal
Result Interpretation of Methyl Red (MR) Test

Objectives of Methyl Red (MR) Test To differentiate two major types of facultative anaerobic enteric bacteria based on the production of acid. It identifies bacterial ability to produce stable acid end … Read more

MRS Broth Test- Principle, Procedure and Results

January 27, 2022January 20, 2022 by Sagar Aryal
Result Interpretation of MRS Broth Test

Objectives of MRS Broth Test It is used for the cultivation and enumeration of lactobacilli in a laboratory setting To determine the ability of organism to form gas during glucose fermentation … Read more

Decarboxylase Test- Principle, Procedure, Results, Uses

January 27, 2022January 20, 2022 by Anupama Sapkota
Decarboxylase Test

Decarboxylase Test Definition Decarboxylase test is a biochemical test performed to differentiate members of Enterobacteriaceae on the basis of their ability to produce the enzyme decarboxylase. The metabolism of amino … Read more

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