High grade Phenylalanine Agar is supplied by Micromaster. It is available in the form of a cream to yellow homogeneous free flowing powder with a pH in the range of 7.1 to 7.5. It is advisable to store this product below 30C.

• Quantity provided: 100 g/pack

Phenylalanine Agar is used for the differentiation of Proteus and Providencia group of organisms from other members of Enterobacteriaceae on the basis of their ability to form phenyl pyruvic acid from phenylalanine. Buttiaux developed Phenylalanine Agar for differentiation of Proteus and Providencia group from other members of Enterobacteriaceae based on the ability of organism in the Proteus genera to deaminate phenylalanine. Phenylalanine Agar is the modification of the medium originally developed by Ewing et al. Yeast extract in the medium supports the growth of the organisms. Sodium chloride maintains osmotic equilibrium. The phenylalanine acts as the substrate for enzymes, which can be deaminated to form phenylpyruvic acid. A recommended technique is to inoculate the slant surface, is by using plenty of inoculum and incubating it for 12-16 hours. After incubation, the addition of (0.2 ml 3-5 drops) of a 10% aqueous ferric chloride solution (or a 12% aqueous ferric chloride solution acidified with 2.5 ml of concentrated HCl per 100 ml of reagent) to the cultures following incubation results in the appearance of a light to deep green color (positive reaction) or no color change (negative reaction). In a positive reaction, any phenylpyruvic acid present will react with the ferric salt in the reagent to give a green color. Interpret the results within 5 minutes upon addition of reagent as the green colour fades quickly.