Patent ID: 7709223

Claim:
A method of detecting presence of bacteria having β-D-ribofuranosidase activity by detecting β-D-ribofuranosidase activity in a sample comprising the bacteria, including the steps of: a) contacting a chromogenic β-D-ribofuranoside comprising a β-D-ribofuranosyl group and a chromogenic portion with the sample comprising the bacteria to form a mixture; b) incubating the mixture under conditions such that bacterial growth occurs; c) determining whether an indicator is formed and d) correlating whether an indicator is formed in step c) with β-D-ribofuranosidase activity; wherein the chromogenic portion is cleavable by β-D-ribofuranosidase from the β-D-ribofuranosyl group to release a chromogenic product and form the indicator which is or is formed from the chromogenic product; wherein the presence of the bacteria is detected.