[Determination of beta-galactosidase activity on nitrocellulose plates using 5-bromo-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside and tetrazolium salts].

A simple and convenient technique has been developed for detection of beta-galactosidase from E. coli on nitrocellulose sheets using a mixture of 5-bromoindol-3-yl-beta-D-galactopyranoside and nitro blue tetrazolium, which enables rapid detection of fmole (10(-15) mole) quantities of the enzyme at pH 9.5. The technique has the following advantages: the substrates are stable for a long period; reaction products give non-fading intense blue colour, resolution is extremely good with essentially no diffusion.