MUG Tryptone Water is used for detection of indole producing microorganisms by fluorogenic method as per APHA. This medium is used for detection of indole producing organisms by fluorogenic method. Organisms like Escherichia coli not only degrade tryptophan and produce indole but also possess the enzyme b-glucuronidase, which cleaves MUG to release 4-methylumbelliferone, which produces blue-green fluorescence under long wave UV light. Test tubes used should be checked under UV light to ensure the glass does not fluoresce.
1. American Public Health Association, 1980, Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 15th Ed.,APHA, Inc., Washington, D.C.2.Farmer J. J., Davis B. R., Hickman- Brenner F. W., McWhorter A., Huntley- Carter G. P., Asbury M. A., Riddle C., Wathen-hrady H. G., Elias C. and Fanning G. R., 1985, J. Clin. Microbiol., 21:46.3.MacFaddin J. F., 1985, Media for Isolation-Cultivation-Identification-Maintenance of Medical Bacteria, Vol. 1, Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore