Species Determination
Microbiological Identification

What is Microbiological Identification?

Microbiological Identification is the assessment of the biochemical profile of an organism in order to determine the specific species. This is usually conducted on a bacterial or fungal colony isolated from an agar plate. Microbiological Identification can play a key role in out-of-specification investigations and root-causing in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry. The species of organisms can indicate the source of contamination and even direct the course of subsequent remedial action.

Why do we do it?

Identified in cGMP there is a responsibility to rectify any out of specification result wherever possible. Corrective and preventative action is paramount in maintaining a suitable level of control over the manufacture of our products. This all contributes to the level of safety assurance offered to the end-user.

How can we help assure compliance?

At Honeyman, based on our foundation in water system trouble shooting, we have decades of experience with Microbiological Identification. Our identification method utilises API strips in order to determine bacterial and yeast species. API strips contain miniaturised biochemical tests in multiple wells.

The full service includes:

• Determination of colony morphology and colony isolation
• Gram staining
• Oxidase, Catalase and Coagulase Biochemical testing
• Anaerobic growth test
• Incubation on API strip subject to the outcome the tests above

Clients are then advised on the outcome of the investigation and supported through the appropriate remedial actions by our consultant microbiologists.