THE NITRITE TEST AS APPLIED TO BACTERIAL CULTURES

Abstract

In high nitrite concentrations, the color resulting in the standard nitrite test is destroyed on account of destruction of the amino group of naphthylamine. Production of high nitrite concentrations is favored by use of peptones containing S and, conversely, small amounts of HN02 escape detection in presence of H2S. Dimethyl-alpha-naphthylamine gives a stable reagent of high sensitivity and produces a permanent nitrite color. It is recommended in place of alpha-naphthylamine.