Micro methods for the biochemical identification of microorganisms were reported as early as 1918. The interest in miniaturized identification systems led to the introduction of several commercial systems in the late 1960s, and they provided advantages in requiring little storage space, extended shelf life, standardized quality control and ease of use.
Many of the tests used in the Micropro® - Identification system are modifications of classical methods. These include tests for Fermentation, Oxidation, degradation, and hydrolysis of various substrates. In addition, there are chromogen linked substrates to detect enzymes that microbes use to metabolize various substrates.
Micropro® - Identification system comprised of (i) Micropro® - ID panel (ii) Micropro® - ID Inoculum broth (iii) Micropro®- ID Sterile Paraffin oil.
The Panel contains 23 Dehydrated Substrates. The inoculum is prepared with the inoculum broth and is used to fill all the wells. The test inoculum rehydrates the dried substrates and initiates test reactions.
Following an incubation period, the wells are examined for color changes resulting from metabolic activities of the microorganisms. Biochemical and enzymatic reaction patterns for the 23 substrates for a wide variety of organisms are stored in the Micropro® - Identification system database.
