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j. Soc. Cosmet. Chem., 35, 253-263 (August 1984) Comparison of the API 20E, Flow, and Minitek systems for the identification of enteric and nonfermentative bacteria isolated from cosmetic raw materials JOHN K. McLAUGHLIN, BARRY D. ZUCKERMAN, SAUL TENENBAUM, and BARBARA A. WOLF, Revlon Research Center, 2121 Route 27, Edison, New Jersey 08818. Received February 1 O, 1984. Presented at the SCC-SIM Microbiological Seminar, New York, December 9, 1981. Synopsis Five commercial identification systems, (API 20E, Flow Enteric-Tek and N/F System, and Minitek for Enterobacteriaceae and Nonfermenters) were compared with conventional methodology in the identification of 94 gram-negative bacteria obtained from cosmetic raw materials and reference sources. The percent agreement between rapid and conventional systems for microbial identifications ranged from 76-88% and 75-79% for enteric and nonfermentative microorganisms, respectively. Regarding individual biochemical tests, the percent agreement between the rapid and conventional systems ranged from 90-96% for enterics and 80-90% for nonfermenters. Greatest variations were found in the accuracy levels of individual bio- chemical tests, with API and Minitek showing the greatest number of inaccurate tests for enterics (2- 54% and 2-51%, respectively) and Flow showing the least (2-15%). Flow also exhibited the smallest incidence of inaccurate reactions for nonfermenters, 2-23%, while API and Minitek showed 2-68% and 4-45%, respectively. Although relatively close levels of identification agreement between rapid and conventional methods were observed, Flow showed the highest percentages of biochemical correlations to conventional systems for the microorganisms studied. With regard to microorganisms isolated from in- dustrial sources, it has been our experience that the Flow systems are most satisfactory for both biochemical accuracy and efficient use of manpower. INTRODUCTION Increasing microbiological surveillance on raw materials used to manufacture cosmetic products has resulted in the need for accurate and rapid microbial identifications. Industrial microbiology laboratories have frequently relied upon the use of conventional identification procedures. These methods, although considered to be accurate, require high levels of expertise due to complex and time consuming inoculation and interpre- tation procedures. The introduction of the multimedia test systems, which claim to provide rapid and accurate identifications utilizing computerized technology, appeared to fulfill this need. The API 20E (API) is frequently accepted as the system of choice for the identification of enteric (ENTB) and nonfermentative (NFB) bacteria, and often is used to replace 253