MOTILITY TEST MEDIUM

Bacterial motility can be observed directly on microscopic slide or it can be visualized on motility media having agar concentration of 0.4% or less. Use of such semisolid media to observe or detect motility was reported by Tittsler and Sandholzer. Motility Test Medium is a modification of their formulation. Motility can be visualized as a diffused zone of growth flaring out from the line of inoculation. Hanging-drop technique in motility tests has practical difficulties, which is efficiently eliminated by use of culture-based methods using semi-solid media, as in semisolid media; the results obtained are macroscopic and cumulative.
Bacterial motility can be observed directly by examination of the tubes following incubation. Inoculation is done by stabbing through the centre of the medium. Incubate at appropriate temperature for 18-40 hours. Non-motile organisms grow only along the line of inoculation whereas motile organisms grow away from the line of inoculation or may show growth even throughout the medium. All weak or equivocal motility results should be confirmed by flagellum stain or by direct wet microscopy (hanging drop).

for detection of bacterial motility