Convenient assay for staphylococcal nuclease by the metachromatic well-agar-diffusion technique

The metachromatic agar-diffusion (MAD) microslide technique was adapted for quantitative assay for staphylococcal thermonuclease in heterogeneous systems, such as milk and broth. When an enzyme-containing solution was placed in a well cut in the agar, a bright pink halo was obtained. The diameter of the pink zone of hydrolysis was related to time and temperature of incubation and to nuclease concentration. Concentrations of nuclease as low as 0.005 mug/ml and as high as 2.0 mug/ml were conveniently determined after 3 hr at 37 C.