GRAM-POSITIVE BACTERIA IDENTIFICATION:

Below I have made a flowchart that will help you identify your unknown bacteria. It is a "most likely" list based on the bacteria that may be found on your skin or in the air. Before you dive into using this chart, there are 2 important points to keep in mind:

1. This is NOT a complete list of bacteria that may occur on your skin or in the air! (Your unknown bacterium might not be shown here...)

2. You will need to look up your suspect bacteria in Bergey's manual (in the library), and compare/confirm such characteristics as colony color and morphology, cell shapes, starch digestion, gelatin liquefaction, and carbohydrate fermentation.

Written by Greg Pryor, 2005. This web site is for educational purposes; if you have comments, corrections, or suggestions, please contact me.