1. 1  Sometimes, gimbal. a contrivance, consisting of a ring or base on an axis, that permits an object, as a ship's compass, mounted in or on it to tilt freely in any direction, in effect suspending the object so that it will remain horizontal even when its support is tipped.
Phage typing is a method used for detecting single strains of bacteria. It is used to trace the source of outbreaks of infections. The viruses that infect bacteria are called bacteriophages (phages for short) and some of these can only infect a single strain of bacteria. These phages are used to identify different strains of bacteria within a single species. A culture of the strain is grown in the agar and dried. A grid is drawn on the base of the petri dish to mark out different regions. Inoculation of each square of the grid is done by a different phage.
Microbial testing is currently employed to verify environmental and equipment sanitation practices, determine microbial quality of inputs like irrigation water or compost, monitor wash water quality, screen raw products prior to harvest and test finished products prior to shipment.