Lab 26: Phenylalanine Test

Question 1

this test is useful for?

Answer 1

differentiating species of Proteus and Providencia from other members of the family Enterobacteriaceae

Question 2

what does phenylalanine agar tests for?

Answer 2

the ability to form the metabolic end product, phenyl pyruvic acid, from the amino acid phenylalanine by deamination (removal of amino group from phenylalanine)

Question 3

what is added after incubation?

Answer 3

ferric chloride solution

Question 4

results

Answer 4

green slant = pos for phenyl pyruvic acid
yellow slant = neg for phenyl pyruvic acid

Question 5

P. mirabilis
P. alcalifaciens
E. coli

Answer 5

yes
no
no