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Phadebas test

Definition

A colorimetric presumptive test for alpha-amylase activity. Phadebas tablets contain a blue-dyed insoluble starch; amylase releases soluble blue dye that is measured visually or spectrophotometrically. Detects all amylase isoforms.

Related terms

Alpha-amylase (salivary)
An enzyme encoded by the AMY1 gene and secreted by the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. It cleaves starch at alpha-1,4-glycosidic bonds...
Double-swab technique
DNA collection method in which a wet swab is applied to the wound perimeter first to rehydrate and collect biological material, followed...
Isoforms of amylase
The human genome encodes multiple AMY loci. AMY1 products are expressed in saliva; AMY2 products are expressed in the pancreas. The two...
Presumptive vs. confirmatory testing
Presumptive tests (Phadebas) give rapid screening results but have cross-reactants; they justify further analysis. Confirmatory or highly specific tests (RSID-Saliva, mRNA analysis)...
RSID-Saliva
Rapid Stain Identification of Saliva. An immunochromatographic lateral-flow assay using monoclonal antibodies specific to human salivary amylase. More specific than Phadebas, with...

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