Kovac's Indole Reagent 100ML CDH

Intended Use
Kovacs' Indole Reagent is used for detection of presence of indole produced by microorganisms due to tryptophan deamination.

Principle And Interpretation
Peptone Water is particularly suitable as a substrate in the study of indole production. Peptone used in Peptone Water, is rich in tryptophan content.
Other peptones which contain tryptophan can be used to study indole production. Tryptone Water is also recommended by APHA for detection of
indole production by coliforms, which is a key feature in differentiation of bacteria. It is used as part of the IMViC procedures. Most strains of E. coli, P.
vulgaris, P. rettgeri, M. morgani and Providencia species break down the amino acid tryptophan with the release of indole. The presence of indole can be
detected by the addition of Ehrlich's or Kovac's reagent (p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde). Kovacs reagent is a biochemical reagent consisting of isoamyl
alcohol, para-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (DMAB), and concentrated hydrochloric acid. It is used for the diagnostic test, to determine the ability of the
organism to split tryptophan into indole and alpha-aminopropionic acid by hydrolytic activity of bacteria that express tryptophanase enzyme. The indole
produced is indicated by formation of a red coloured ring, soluble in ether, chloroform and alcohol. This was invented by the Hungarian-Swiss Chemist,
Ervin Kovac's. Indole production is used as, a test designed to distinguish among members of the family Enterobacteria.