Help on bacterial identification using biochemical tests - (Apr/19/2008 )

Is there any way I can read the manual online for free (or at least, with a small fee)? The closest thing I have is the Determinative Bacteriology manual at the national library and it's like 30, 40 years old. Certainly NOT what I would like to cite as my reference in my thesis, given the pickiness of my supervisors.

Sometimes the amount of work done in a microbe lab (as far as identification is concerned) isn't enough but much reading would help you.

Try searching in scholar.google.com < this would aid you in the theory part, especially useful when you're writing thesis
Try look for this book in your library > Author: Jean F. MacFaddin (though most are medical bacteria but could be useful. Lots of tests inside

As you do more tests apart from the preliminary ones, you could go to www.gideononline.com and try out the trial database for identification (mostly medically-important bacteria though). Bergey's is useful as is Prokaryotes (for description of bacteria).

Sorry for being long winded. If not, API kits are useful too.

PS. Remember to perform the fermentation test ok?