Bacteria are identified based largely on what organic compounds they can break down. The range of compounds used depends on the collection of enzymes a species of bacteria can make. Malonate is an organic acid that some bacteria can use for carbon and energy. Malonate broth is thus used to determine whether the microbe can use the compound malonate for carbon and energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If malonate can be used, the microbe will accumulate alkaline\/basic byproducts. In a positive test, the pH indicator in the medium changes color from its normal green to deep blue, indicating alkaline\/basic products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Malonate broth is a mineral salts broth with 0.3% sodium malonate added. All media must have a nitrogen source, and ammonium sulfate serves that purpose. The pH indicator brom thymol blue is green at neutral pH, yellow at acidic pH <6.0 and turns blue at alkaline (basic) pH >7.6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For information on how to determine the ability of a microbe to use malonate, refer to the malonate utilization test<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nVUMIE is the flight simulator of microbiology labs.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n