60983

Kovac′s reagent for indoles

suitable for microbiology

• Synonym(s): 4-(Dimethylamino)benzaldehyde solution, Indole reagent according to Kovac
• Empirical Formula (Hill Notation): C₉H₁₁NO
• CAS Number: 100-10-7
• Molecular Weight: 149.19
• Beilstein: 4132845
• MDL number: MFCD00003381
• UNSPSC Code: 41171621
• PubChem Substance ID: 329759335
• NACRES: NA.85

Properties

• shelf life: limited shelf life, expiry date on the label
• Quality Level: 100
• composition: n-butanol ; 4-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde ; hydrochloric acid
• technique(s): microbe id | specific enzyme detection: suitable
• refractive index: n20/D 1.400-1.420
• application(s): agriculture; clinical testing; environmental; food and beverages; microbiology
• storage temp.: 2-8°C
• suitability: Escherichia coli; coliforms
• SMILES string: [H]C(=O)c1ccc(cc1)N(C)C
• InChI: 1S/C9H11NO/c1-10(2)9-5-3-8(7-11)4-6-9/h3-7H,1-2H3
• InChI key: BGNGWHSBYQYVRX-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Description

General description

Kovac′s reagent for indoles is a solution of 4-(dimethylamino)benzaldehyde and hydrochloric acid in n-butanol.

Application

Kovac′s reagent for indoles has been used for enumerating E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef samples in different scenarios of stored, thawed, and as cooked patty samples. It has also been used for E coli enumeration in dewatered blackwater.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Kovac′s reagent detects the indole and aids in identifying the indole-positive and indole-negative microorganisms. E. coli can split tryptophan into indole and α-aminopropionic acid in the presence of the enzyme tryptophanase. p-Aminobenzaldehyde present in the reagent reacts with indole to form a cherry-red complex, that is soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform. It is recommended to use glucose free media and peptone with a high tryptophan content for the test.

Safety Information

• Pictograms: GHS02,GHS05,GHS07
• Signal Word: Danger
• Hazard Statements: H226,H290,H302,H315,H318,H335,H336
• Precautionary Statements: P210 - P233 - P280 - P301 + P312 - P303 + P361 + P353 - P305 + P351 + P338
• Hazard Classifications: Acute Tox. 4 Oral - Eye Dam. 1 - Flam. Liq. 3 - Met. Corr. 1 - Skin Irrit. 2 - STOT SE 3
• Target Organs: Central nervous system, Respiratory system
• Storage Class Code: 3 - Flammable liquids
• WGK: WGK 1
• Flash Point(F): 96.8 °F
• Flash Point(C): 36 °C
• Personal Protective Equipment: dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves