Hydrolytic and Degradation Reactions Part II - Lab 12

What is tryptophanase?

breaks down tryptophan into indole, ammonia, and pyruvic acid

What is pyruvic acid used for?

used by organisms for various metabolic reactions

What does tryptophan test work?

with addition of Kovac’s reagent, a deep red color if indole is present

What is urea?

waste product of animal metabolism that broken down by several bacteria

What is in urea medium?

contains yeast extract, urea, a buffer, and the pH indicator phenol red

What does urease do?

splits urea into carbon dioxide and ammonia

What is the urease test result?

turns magenta to indicate that the inoculated organism can hydrolyze urea

The process of __________ of the amino acid phenylalanine produces _____ and _______

oxidative deamination; phenylpyruvic acid; ammonia

What catalyzes the oxidative deamination of phenylalanine?

phenylalanine deaminase which is a flavoprotein oxidase

What detects phenylalanince deaminase?

10% ferric chloride, which will form a green-colored complex with the phenylpyruvic acid