The last test performed was the Methyl Red Voges-Proskaure test. This broth tests for two different fermentative pathways. All enterics will ferment glucose, which is present in these broths. Pyruvate is an intermediate in glucose metabolism. Methyl Red (MR) and Voges-Proskaure (VP) test for what this pyruvate is used. MR tests for a bacteria’s ability to maintain acid end products; VP tests for the bacteria’s ability to maintain neutral end products. Two broths are each aseptically inoculated with the unknown organism. The broths are then incubated at 37 degrees Celsius for 48 hours. After incubation one tube receives 5 to 10 drops of Methyl Red. The other broth receives 3 drops of α-napthol and 3 drops of potassium hydroxide. Both tubes are