Background
Kovacs reagent is used to detect the presence of indole which is one of the end products of the oxidation of the amino acid tryptophan by bacteria (tryptophanase cleaves tryptophan to produce indole, pyruvate and an Ammonium ion).
The active ingredient of Kovacs Reagent, p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde reacts with indole to form a pink-red compound.
This reagent is intended for use with Rosco Diagnostica double test Diatabs which include indole detection as a secondary test. The reagent can also be used with the standard tube detection method.
Material Safety Data Sheet (En)
