CHROMOGENIC SUBSTRATES FOR BETA-D-GLUCURONIDASE ACTIVITY AND USE THEREOF FOR MICROBIAL DETECTION

摘要

Chromogenic substrates for β-D-glucuronidase activity comprising monoglucuronides of some 1,2-dihydroxyaromatic derivatives. When cleaved these form soluble coloured conjugates with multivalent metal ions such as iron ions. The substrates may be used in conjunction with chromogenic substrates for other enzymes in microbial detection and identification especially involving liquid media. Microbes can be grown in the presence of the substrates and the compounds providing the metal ion. The substrates are particularly useful for detecting β-D-glucuronidase-positive E. coli. Synthetic methods for making the compounds are described.