PHENYLALANINE MALONATE BROTH 500 grams/bottle

Malonate Phenylalanine Broth is used to to detect the utilization of malonate and phenylalanine deamination acc. to Shaw and Clarke. This medium is prepared according to the formulation developed by Shaw and Clarke for differentiating gram negative enteric bacteria on the basis of their ability to utilize malonate and produce pyruvic acid from phenylalanine which changes the color of the medium from green to blue due to the pH indicator Bromothymol blue. Yeast extract supplies nutrients to the organisms while two phosphates buffer the medium. Bromothymol blue is the pH indicator. Sodium chloride maintains osmotic balance. Potassium phosphates act as a buffer system. Sodium chloride supplies essential electrolytes for transport and osmotic balance. Organisms like Klebsiella and Salmonella arizonae being capable of utilizing malonate, produce an alkaline reaction and thus change the colour of the medium from light green to dark blue. The colour of the medium remains light green if the organisms are malonate negative. Members of the group Proteus and Providencia are capable of forming pyruvic acid from phenylalanine. This can be determined by the addition of few drops of 10% iron(II) chloride (Fluka 44944) dissolved in acidified distilled water to a freshly grown culture. Deep green colour is formed due to production of pyruvic acid from phenylalanine.