The Resazurin Test
The resazurin test is conducted similar to the methylene blue reduction test with the judgement of quality based either on the color produced after a stated period of incubation or on the time required to reduce the dye to a given end-point. Numerous modifications have been proposed. The two most commonly used are the "one-hour test" and the "triple-reading test" taken after one, two, and three hours of incubation. Other modifications have value in specific applications.
The procedure for making the resazurin test is as follows: Prepare resazurin solution by dissolving one resazurin tablet (dye content/ tablet, approximately 11 mg, certified by Biological Stain Commission) in 200 ml of hot distilled water as was done in the methylene blue test. Place one ml of dye solution in a sterile test tube, then add 10 ml of sample. Stopper the tube, place in the incubator and, when the temperature reaches 36o C, invert to mix the milk and dye. Incubate at 36o C. Tubes are examined and classified at the end of an hour in the "one-hour test" or at the end of three successive hourly intervals in the "triplereading test." The following relationships of color and quality are generally accepted: