Decarboxylase Test Medium Base (Falkow)

Decarboxylase Test Medium Base (Falkow) is recommended for testing amino acid decarboxylase activity. This medium is used for differentiating bacteria on their ability to decarboxylate the amino acids. Bacteria which produce lysine or ornithine or arginine decarboxylase will produce alkaline products and increase the pH. The resulting reaction after 24-96 hours will indicate an alkaline reaction seen as purple colour for decarboxylase producing bacteria and an acid pH (yellow) by the bacteria not producing decarboxylase. Inoculated tubes must be protected from air (by overlaying the medium with sterile mineral oil) to avoid false alkalinization at the surface of the medium. The decarboxylase reactions can be considered indicative of a given genus or species but conclusive and final identification of these organisms cannot be made solely on the basis of the decarboxylase reactions.