Question: why does onpg turn yellow?
Answer: β-GALACTOSIDASE ONPG is an analog of lactose that the enzyme can break down to produce a yellow colored end-product, O-nitrophenol. Since this enzyme is made ONLY in the presence of the lactose substrate, you need to be sure to grow this organism on media high in lactose (e.g., from lactose broth or on TSIA agar).