Tryptophan Medium

Tryptophan Medium is used to identify and differentiate bacteria capable of producing indole. This medium contains tryptophan as the primary nitrogen source for bacterial growth.

Main Components:

1. Tryptophan: An amino acid that bacteria can degrade to produce indole.
2. Peptone: Provides nitrogen and other nutrients.
3. Salt: Maintains osmotic balance.

Applications:

• Indole Test: Bacteria degrade tryptophan to produce indole, which can be detected with Kovac’s reagent.
• E. coli Identification: E. coli is indole positive and grows well in this medium.

Usage Method:

1. Prepare and sterilize the medium.
2. Inoculate with bacterial sample.
3. Incubate at 35-37°C for 24-48 hours.
4. Add Kovac’s reagent to observe color change indicating indole production.

Conclusion:

Tryptophan Medium is a valuable tool in microbiology for identifying indole-positive bacteria, widely used in clinical and research laboratories.

For more detailed information, refer to specialized microbiology sources.