Compounds of formula (I)in which R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are
hydrogen atoms or
chromogenic substituents and X is hydroxyl, OR6 wherein R6 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C4
alkyl, or O-Me+ wherein Me+ is a cation derived from an organic or inorganic base; these compounds do not exhibit significant
fluorescence but are capable of being cleaved by phosphatidyl-
inositol-specific
phospholipase C, an
enzyme which is indicative of
bacterial activity; the umbelliferyl moity resulting from such cleavage is a strong fluorogen thus providing effective test methods for various
pathogenic bacteria, such as
Listeria,
Staphylococcus and
Clostridium species. Also disclosed are plating media for detection of microorganisms that are capable of metabolic generation of a
phosphatidyl inositol-specific
phospholipase C (PI-PLC). The plating medium can be in a dry, liquid, or semi-liquid form, depending upon its
water content, and comprise at least one compound capable of forming an aqueous gel when in contact with water; at least one
nutrient capable of supporting growth of said
microorganism; and at least one indicator compound of formula I and / or IV, notably 4-methylumbelliferyl myo-
inositol-1-
phosphate or salts thereof and 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-
indoxyl myo-
inositol-1-
phosphate or salts thereof. PI-PLC generated by the microorganisms of interest leads to cleavage of the indicator compounds causing formation of
fluorescence and / or color suitable for identification of type and count of such hygienically and pathologically important microorganisms as
Listeria species.