Indole utilisation testing.

Question 1

What is indole utilisation testing?

Answer 1

Indole utilisation testing is a test used to identify bacteria based on their ability to decompose tryptophan to indole.

Question 2

What is the basis of indole utilisation testing?

Answer 2

The basis of indole utilisation testing is that tryptophan undergoes deamination and hydrolysis to produce indole. The tryptophanase deaminates tryptophan by removing an amino group before the indole pyruvic acid is split via hydrolysis. The final products are indole, pyruvic acid and ammonium. The indole combines with Kovac’s reagent to turn the solution red from yellow, with an oily layer on top.