noun

A test used to determine if an organism is able to produce indole from tryptophan. The test consists of incubating the organism in peptone or tryptone water at 37°C for 48 hours . Then, .5 ml of Kovács' indole reagent is added to 5 ml of culture (this only represents one possible procedure). In a positive test, a floating layer which is pink or red is produced. Part of the IMViC tests.