Oxidative/fermentation glucose test

Hugh - Leifson test, also oxidation fermentation test or OF test, used in microbiology for the examination of bacteria in their ability to acid formation from carbohydrates under oxic and anoxic culture conditions. This allows conclusions to be drawn on whether they break down carbohydrates by oxidation or fermentation. This, in turn, are characteristic features of various bacteria and therefore serve their differentiation and identification.

For this purpose the microorganisms are cultured in a Hochschichtagarröhrchen which contains a pH indicator such as bromothymol blue. Bromothymol blue changes its color in acid formation, resulting in an acid formation can be observed. It can also be displayed using a wax seal growth in the absence of oxygen, so anaerobic lifestyle. In aerobes would be no growth in a hermetically sealed with paraffin tubes due to lack of oxygen, except they were anaerobically optional. If necessary, it can be shown by a gas formed accumulates between the agar medium and the Paraffinpfropfen by the closure paraffin gas formation.

Was first described in 1953 by Rudolph Hugh the test and Einar Leifson, after which it was named.

Swell

• Microbiological test method