Other Technologies for Identification and Enumeration

During the past 20 years, research in molecular biology and genetics has led to the development of techniques capable of detecting and characterizing microorganisms at low population density and in a fraction of the time required for classic isolation and identification (Loureiro and 

Querol, 1999 Sancho et al., 2000). Whereas identification based on phenotypic expression requires that the organism be viable, identification based on genetic (molecular) methods do not have this requirement. 

Several rapid procedures are described in the following section. Each have their relative merits and deficiencies in terms of interpreting results and all require specialized equipment and skilled personnel. However, developing methods have the potential for being modified and packaged into field kits that can be used outside the laboratory. 

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