A plate method for demonstrating the breakdown of heparin and chrondroitin sulphate by bacteria

A plate method for demonstrating the breakdown of heparin and chondroitin sulphate by bacteria is described. The medium contained phytone, yeast extract and either heparin or chondroitin sulphate as organic nutrients. Sulphate, which is released by the breakdown of heparin or chondroitin sulphate, combined with barium chloride in the medium to form a white precipitate of barium sulphate on the plates. © 1984.