A computer‐assisted probabilistic identification technique was developed to identify species of the genus Bacillus known to be potentially pathogenic and/or frequently found as contaminants in pharmaceutical preparations. An identification matrix on 18 species of the genus Bacillus was constructed. Twenty‐four biochemical tests were used. The reaction profile of each species was quantified in probability terms and called up on a computer. The computer method was used on 30 test cultures. In each case, the most likely identification, according to the computer method, was the species to which the strain had already been assigned. In 29 of the 30 cases, the identification was with a probability level of one; in seven of these, however, more than one species tied for first choice. Only one strain was identified with a lower level of probability. The technique developed is comparatively easy to use and would seem to constitute a useful diagnostic tool within the pharmaceutical field.

One hundred nineteen species of Bacillus were isolated from five heavily contaminated liquid antacids and their constituent chemicals. The 66 different reaction profiles obtained were expressed in probability figures and stored in a computer. A total of 13 Bacillus species were identified, with B. coagulans, B. licheniformis, B. subtilis, and B. polymyxa present at particularly high frequencies. The potential advantage of using a computer in the identification of aerobic sporeformers is demonstrated.