Indole test

This article is about the biochemical test. For the detection of indoles such as LSD, see Ehrlich's reagent.

The indole test is a biochemical test performed on bacterial species to determine the ability of the organism to convert tryptophan into the indole. This division is performed by a chain of a number of different intracellular enzymes, a system generally referred to as "tryptophanase."

Biochemistry

Indole is generated by reductive deamination from tryptophan via the intermediate molecule indolepyruvic acid. Tryptophanase catalyzes the deamination reaction, during which the amine (-NH2) group of the tryptophan molecule is removed. Final products of the reaction are indole, pyruvic acid, ammonium (NH4+) and energy. Pyridoxal phosphate is required as a coenzyme.

Performing a Test

Indole test positive: appearance of pink layer at top (e.g. Escherichia coli)

Like many biochemical tests on bacteria, results of an indole test are indicated by a change in color following a reaction with an added reagent.

Pure bacterial culture must be grown in sterile tryptophan or peptone broth for 24–48 hours before performing the test. Following incubation, add 5 drops of Kovac's reagent (isoamyl alcohol, para-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde, concentrated hydrochloric acid) to the culture broth.

A positive result is shown by the presence of a red or red-violet color in the surface alcohol layer of the broth. A negative result appears yellow. A variable result can also occur, showing an orange color as a result. This is due to the presence of skatole, also known as methyl indole or methylated indole, another possible product of tryptophan degradation.

The positive red color forms as a result of a series of reactions. The para-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde reacts with indole present in the medium to form a red rosindole dye. The isoamyl alcohol forms a complex with rosindole dye, which causes it to precipitate. The remaining alcohol and the precipitate then rise to the surface of the medium.

A variation on this test using Ehrlich's reagent (using ethyl alcohol in place of isoamyl alcohol, developed by Paul Ehrlich) is used when performing the test on nonfermenters and anaerobes.

Indole-Positive Bacteria

Bacteria that test positive for cleaving indole from tryptophan include: Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas punctata, Bacillus alvei, Edwardsiella sp., Escherichia coli, Flavobacterium sp., Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Proteus sp. (not P. mirabilis and P. penneri), Plesiomonas shigelloides, Pasteurella multocida, Pasteurella pneumotropica, Enterococcus faecalis, and Vibrio sp.

Indole-Negative Bacteria

Bacteria which give negative results for the indole test include: Actinobacillus spp., Aeromonas salmonicida, Alcaligenes sp., most Bacillus sp., Bordetella sp., Enterobacter sp., Lactobacillus spp., most Haemophilus sp., most Klebsiella sp., Neisseria sp., Pasteurella haemolytica, Pasteurella ureae, Proteus mirabilis, P. penneri, Pseudomonas sp., Salmonella sp., Serratia sp., Yersinia sp.

References

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