The three methods used for microbial identification are genotype, proteotype, and phenotype. Genotyping analyzes the sequence of bacterial and fungal rRNA regions, while proteotyping methods analyze expressed ribosomal proteins. Finally, phenotypic methods analyze biochemical responses. Samples for identification can be provided in the form of swabs, raw materials, liquid samples, pre-exposed agar plates or separate agar plates. NOTE: Accuracy and reproducibility of identification decrease as you move away from the original information (DNA).