ABSTRACT
This chapter describes recent developments in the methodology of bacterial identification with a view toward their applicability and usefulness in the diagnostic, public health, or food bacteriology laboratory. Many newer methods have been developed based on the principles of bacterial morphology (size, shape, and arrangement), staining properties, and cultural characteristics on solid medium or in liquid culture. While some methods have been modified to increase the efficiency of detection and enumeration of the organisms, others are aimed at improving the identification and characterization procedures. The size ranges of the different taxonomic groups of bacteria vary, but most individual bacterial cells are 1 to 3 µm. Electrophoretic mobility is a measure of movement of a particle in a solution when it is subjected to an externally applied electric field. Examination of biological material at higher resolution and greater depth of field is possible with scanning electron microscopy, as opposed to conventional microscopy.
