The BANA test (referring to the

enzymatic Enzymes () are proteins that act as biological catalysts by accelerating chemical reactions. The molecules upon which enzymes may act are called substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different molecules known as products. A ...

breakdown Breakdown may refer to: Breaking down *Breakdown (vehicle), failure of a motor vehicle in such a way that it cannot be operated *Chemical decomposition, also called chemical breakdown, the breakdown of a substance into simpler components *Decompo ...

of -benzoyl-dL-arginine-2-napthylamide is used to determine the proteolytic activity of certain oral

anaerobe An anaerobic organism or anaerobe is any organism that does not require molecular oxygen for growth. It may react negatively or even die if free oxygen is present. In contrast, an aerobic organism (aerobe) is an organism that requires an oxygenate ...

s that contribute to oral malodor. Some

bacteria Bacteria (; singular: bacterium) are ubiquitous, mostly free-living organisms often consisting of one biological cell. They constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria were among ...

, e.g. Prophyromona gingivalis,

Treponema denticola ''Treponema denticola'' is a Gram-negative, obligate anaerobic, motile and highly proteolytic spirochete bacterium. It is one of four species of oral spirochetes to be reliably cultured, the others being ''Treponema pectinovorum, Treponema socra ...

, and

Bacteroides forsythus ''Tannerella forsythia'' is an anaerobic, Gram-negative bacterial species of the Bacteroidota phylum. It has been implicated in periodontal diseases and is a member of the red complex of periodontal pathogens. ''T. forsythia'' was previously n ...

(Red complex) produce waste products that are quite odiferous, and as a result contribute to bad breath. When a sample of a patient's

saliva Saliva (commonly referred to as spit) is an extracellular fluid produced and secreted by salivary glands in the mouth. In humans, saliva is around 99% water, plus electrolytes, mucus, white blood cells, epithelial cells (from which DNA can be ...

that contains these bacteria is placed within the BANA testing compound, it causes the breakdown of the N-benzoyl enzyme. As a result of this

biodegradation Biodegradation is the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. It is generally assumed to be a natural process, which differentiates it from composting. Composting is a human-driven process in which biodegrada ...

occurs, the test compound changes color, indicating a positive reaction. Uses: Used to identify volatile Sulphur compounds in halitosis patients.

References

Further reading