Determine the ability of gram-negative bacilli to produce acetylmethylcarbinol (acetoin) from glucose fermentation using Thermo Scientific™ Remel™ 5% Alpha Naphthol Reagent for Voges-Proskauer A Test. In 1898, Voges and Proskauer reported production of acetylmethylcarbinol from glucose fermentation by certain bacteria when grown in an appropriate medium such as MR-VP Broth1,2. Later Barret made the VP test more sensitive by using 5% Alpha Naphthol (VP-A) to the medium for the detection of acetylmethylcarbinol3.
The Voges-Proskauer test is based on the detection of acetylmethylcarbinol from glucose metabolism4.Ease of Differentiation: VP positive organisms produce a pink color development while VP negative organisms produce no color.Rapid Results: Within 15 minutes.Less Inoculum: 1 mL of inoculated MR-VP broth required for testing.Glucose is metabolized to pyruvic acid from which the neutral products, acetoin and 2,3-butanediol are formed. In the presence of oxygen and alkali, acetoin and 2,3-butanediol are oxidized to diacetyl, the reactant for the pink color produced in Voges-Proskauer test. VP-A is a catalyst which serves to intensify the color and increase the sensitivity of the reaction.Used in conjunction with VP-B, Part No. R21281. For use with MRVP Broth3.Not all products are available for sale in all territories. Please inquire.Remel™ and Oxoid™ products are now part of the Thermo Scientific brand.
- Voges O. and Proskauer B., 1898, Zeit. Hyg. 28:20-32.
- Clark W. M. and H.A. Lubs, 1915, J. Infect. Dis., 17:160-173.
- Barritt, M.M. 1936. J. Pathol. Bacteriol. 42:441-454.
- MacFaddin J. F., 2000, Biochemical Tests for identification of Medical Bacteria, 3rd Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA.