title: A rapid method for the detection of tryptophanase in anaerobic bacteria.
abstract: A total of 633 anaerobic bacteria were examined for tryptophanase production using a rapid method which distinguishes within 5 to 180 minutes between anaerobes that contain tryptophanase and those that do not. Of the 196 tryptophanase-positive isolates tested, 99% showed tryptophanase activity within 2 hours as compared with 94.4% in 24 hours by a conventional method. A total of 299 tryptophanase-negative organisms were tested. Ninety three percent of these remained negative after 24 hours as compared with 95.3% when tested within a 24-h conventional method. Additional information was obtained on the sensitivity of this test and the time-dependent production of indole by tryptophanase.
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000201:enzymology*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D003013:Clostridium / Q000201:enzymology; D006089:Gram-Negative Anaerobic Bacteria / Q000201:enzymology*; D007211:Indoles / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008190:Lyases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010460:Peptococcus / Q000201:enzymology; D011424:Propionibacterium / Q000201:enzymology; D013997:Time Factors; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000378:metabolism; D014368:Tryptophanase / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007211:Indoles; C030374:indole; D014364:Tryptophan; D008190:Lyases; D014368:Tryptophanase