Characterization of Bacteria
Characterization of Bacteria is done for various purposes
especially for identification of isolated bacterium.
Characterization for identification involves-
1. Colony and cell morphological characteristics.
2. Gram character.
3. Detection of various cytological features such as cell inclusions (endospore , storage granules etc.)
4. Biochemical characters.
5. Genetic characters.
Bergey's Manual of Systemic Bacteriology -
1. Many classification schemes presently exist , but most cover only one or few groups of bacteria.
2. One
classification scheme is unique , because of its broad scope and wide
acceptance : Bergeys manual of Determinative Bacteriology.
3. This
not only provides description of all established genera and
species of bacteria , but it also provides a bacterial arrangement of
these taxa that is useful for their identification , together
with appropriate keys and tables.
4. Eight
editions of Bergey's manual have appeared since 1923 , and a new
edition is now in prepration , part of which has already been published.
5. The
title has been changed to Bergey's Manual of Systemic Bacteriology to
reflect an increased coverage of bacterial characterization ,
classification and taxonomic problems , in addition to the
identification aspects.
6. Bergey's manual is written by hundreds of authors from around the world , each an authority on a particular bacterial group.
7. The
arrangement of bacterial taxa in the new edition of the Bergey's manual
is mainly along traditional , practical lines.
8. Each
volume is divided into a no. of sections , each bearing a
descriptive common name rather than a formal taxonomic name.
9. Within
each section the bacteria are divided into formal taxa at various
levels , most attention being given to families , genera and species.
10. Bergey's Manual of Systemic Bacteriology is published in four volumes.
i ) Volume I includes the ordinary Gram negative chemoheterotrophic eubacteria.
ii ) Volume II includes the ordinary Gram positive bacteria chemoheterotrophic eubacteria.
iii ) Volume III includes bacteria with unusual properties.
iv ) Volume IV includes Gram positive filamentous bacteria of complex morphology.
11. Bergey's manual is the most widely used reference for bacterial classification.
