Sales of the Microbact range of biochemical-based identification systems have increased dramatically since they were introduced to the Oxoid range of products last year. Complementing Oxoid's comprehensive selection of products for the growth, isolation and identification of micro-organisms, the Microbact systems provide definitive identification of key pathogenic bacteria, including Listeria species, Gram-negative bacteria, and Staphylococcal species.

There has been particular growing interest in the Microbact Listeria Identification System (12L), which provides accurate identification of pathogenic Listeria species in as little as 4 hours, using 11 carbohydrate utilisation tests and a rapid micro-haemolysis test (as recommended by recognised international standard methods such as ISO TC 34/SCS N307 and FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual).

The Pathogen Laboratory at International Laboratory Services (ILS) Limited (Derbyshire, UK) performs multiple Listeria identifications each day using the Microbact Listeria Identification System. The laboratory was attracted to the Microbact system because of the clarity and non-ambiguity of the test reactions, and because it included the test for haemolysis. Senior Technician, Steph Shearing, comments, "The results with Microbact Listeria are reliable and more clear cut than our previous method. Also, the design of the test makes it very easy to use, preventing evaporation during incubation and minimising spillages."