@article{mbs:/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-9-1-101, author = "Cowan, S. T.", title = "Micromethod for the Methyl Red Test", journal= "Microbiology", year = "1953", volume = "9", number = "1", pages = "101-109", doi = "https://doi.org/10.1099/00221287-9-1-101", url = "https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-9-1-101", publisher = "Microbiology Society", issn = "1465-2080", type = "Journal Article", abstract = "Summary: A micromethod for the methyl red (mr) test was worked out for suspensions of bacterial cells. The most important factors in the test are (1) the density of the cell suspension; (2) the ratio of glucose to buffer concentrations. Adaptation of the cells to glucose is essential for the success of the test, and cells from glucose-free media are not satisfactory. At the optimal glucose: buffer ratio Bacterium coli and Klebsiella aerogenes suspensions have different effects on the final pH value attained in the system. Because the mr microtest is dependent on a fine balance between glucose and buffer concentrations, and is so greatly affected by even twofold differences in cell concentration, it is not really suitable for routine work in the characterization of bacteria.", }