Rapid micromethods for detecting deamination and decarboxylation of amino acids, indole production, and reduction of nitrate and nitrite by facultatively anaerobic actinomycetes.

96 strains of facultatively anaerobic actinomycetes and 2 Propionibacterium acnes strains were studied for their ability to deaminate and/or decarboxylate 13 amino acids, to reduce nitrate and nitrite, and to produce indole, using specially adapted micro-methods. Several of the tests performed were found to provide information which may aid in improving the classification and in facilitating the identification of these organisms.