Comparison of two assay techniques for B-lactamase activity

ABSTRACT

Two techniques for the assay of B-lactamase activity have been compared. 10 strains of Staph. aureus and 13 strains of Gram negative bacteria were estimated for B-lactamase activity [Penicillinase and cephalosporinase] BYUSING Perret's macroiodometric method and rapid spectrophotometric Yamabe's method. Strong correlation between the two methods was obtained with staphylococcus exo-penicillinase while a moderate correlation was obtained with cellular Gram negative penicillinase. The iodometric assay was rapid, reliable and does not require any specialized or expensive equipment