Abstract

Aminopeptidase profiling is an established bioanalytical technique used for the identification of bacterial pathogens. This method is based on the production of highly fluorescent β-naphthylamine (BNA) through aminopeptidase hydrolysis of a series of nonfluorescent L-aminoacid-β-naphthylamide substrates by the microorganism of interest. The resultant profiles used to make the identification are bar graphs of the extent of hydrolysis of the substrate versus the identity of the nutrient. The shape of the plot is indicative of the pathogen.

© 1987 Optical Society of America