Method for identifying microorganisms and its application for the early detection of bacterial growth and for optimising the composition of culture media, as well as a device for performing the method

摘要

Determn. of 13CO2 in the gas evolved by a bacterial culture in a closed vessel comprises: using a culture medium with a standardised isotopic compsn.; measuring the carbon isotope compsn. (CIC) of the CO2 in the atmos. above the culture medium by isotope ratio; mass spectrometry (IRMS); inoculating the medium with a bacterial strain; and 'measuring the CIC of the CO2 evolved after consumption by the said strain in relation to a nutrient medium of known isotopic compsn'. Also claimed is appts. for carrying out the above process, comprising a cabinet contg. inoculation vessel, mixing devices, a gas sample transfer system connected to an IRMS device operating in conjunction with a gas chromatograph, and a read-out console.