Nitrocefin is a chromogenic cephalosporin substrate routinely used to detect the presence of beta-lactamase enzymes produced by various microbes. Beta-lactamase mediated resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin is a widespread mechanism of resistance for a number of bacteria including members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, a major group of enteric Gram-negative bacteria. Other methods for beta-lactamase detection exist including PCR; however, nitrocefin allows for rapid beta-lactamase detection using few materials and inexpensive equipment.
Structure
As a
cephalosporin, nitrocefin contains a
beta-lactam ring which is susceptible to
beta-lactamase mediated
hydrolysis. Once hydrolyzed, the degraded nitrocefin compound rapidly changes color from yellow to red. Although nitrocefin is considered a
cephalosporin, it does not appear to have antimicrobial properties.
Degradation and chromogenic properties
Intact
beta-lactam antibiotics act by binding to penicillin binding proteins (PBPs) involved in
peptidoglycan synthesis.
Beta-lactamases hydrolyze the
amide bond between the
carbonyl carbon and the
nitrogen in the
beta-lactam ring of susceptible beta-lactams and members of
beta-lactam subclasses (including certain cephalosporins). After hydrolysis of the amide bond, the antibiotic lacks the ability to bind bacterial PBPs and is rendered useless. Visual detection of this process is essentially impossible with most
because the shift of
ultraviolet absorption from the intact versus hydrolyzed product occurs outside of the
visible spectrum. Hydrolysis of nitrocefin however, produces a shift of
ultraviolet absorption inside the visible light spectrum from intact (yellow) nitrocefin (~380 nm) to degraded (red) nitrocefin (~500 nm) allowing visual detection of
beta-lactamase activity on a macroscopic level.
Detection assays
The following assays describe methods in which nitrocefin can be used to detect
beta-lactamase enzymes using inexpensive materials and equipment.
Working solutions of nitrocefin lie within 0.5 mg/mL to 1.0 mg/mL.
Slide Surface Assay
-
Add one drop of 0.5 mg/ml Nitrocefin to the surface of a clean glass slide.
-
Select a colony from an agar surface using a sterile loop and mix with the drop.
-
Appearance of red color within 20-30 min. indicates beta-lactamase activity.
Direct Contact Assay
-
Place one drop of 0.5 mg/ml Nitrocefin directly on the surface of an isolated colony.
-
Appearance of red color within 20-30 min. indicates beta-lactamase activity.
Broth Suspension Assay
-
Add 3-5 drops of 0.5 mg/ml Nitrocefin to 1 ml of broth suspension.
-
Appearance of red color within 20-30 min. indicates beta-lactamase activity.
Lysed Cell Assay
-
Lyse 1ml of cell suspension by sonication.
-
Add 3-5 drops of 0.5 mg/ml Nitrocefin to lysed cell suspension.
-
Appearance of red color within 20-30 min. indicates beta-lactamase activity.
Filter Paper Assay
-
Place a small piece of filter paper (~3 x 3 cm) in a clean petri dish or another clean isolated surface and saturate (3-5 ml) with 0.5 mg/ml Nitrocefin
-
Select an isolated colony and smear over the surface of the impregnated filter paper.
-
Appearance of red color within 20-30 min. indicates beta-lactamase activity
See also
