The first test carried out for the Gram positive bacteria was a catalase test, checking for the presence of the enzyme catalase. To perform this test, a sterilized inoculating loop was used to streak a sample of the bacteria onto a glass slide, and a drop of hydrogen peroxide was added to the bacteria. The production of gas bubbles would indicate the presence of catalase, because this would mean that the bacterium was able to convert hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. The results of the catalase test were recorded.

After conducting this test, a mannitol fermentation test was carried out. This was done by creating an isolation streak on an MSA plate and incubating the plate at 37 degrees Celsius for 1-2 days. A yellow halo around the bacteria on the MSA plate would indicate that they fermented mannitol, while no change in color in the MSA plate would mean that the bacteria did not ferment mannitol. Observations were recorded for this test. After confirming the results by observing the colony morphology under a microscope and the color on a TSA plate, no other tests were needed to determine the Gram positive unknown bacteria according to the dichotomous key.

The process of identifying the Gram negative bacteria was not as simple, because there were more possible Gram negative bacteria and therefore more biochemical tests needed to be carried out in order to narrow the possibilities down. The Gram negative bacterium was first analyzed by conducting an oxidase test. This was done by using a plastic inoculating loop to place a sample of the bacteria on an oxidase strip. If the strip turned into a purple color, this would indicate an oxidase positive bacteria. If the strip did not change color, this would indicate an absence of cytochrome c oxidase in the bacteria.

Following this test, a gelatin hydrolysis test was carried out to test for the presence of the gelatinase exoenzyme. A gelatinase tube was inoculated with a sample of the bacteria using a sterilized inoculating needle. The tube was then incubated at 37 degrees Celsius for one week before being placed in the refrigerator for approximately 30 minutes. After this process, if the gelatin was li