CENTA as a chromogenic substrate for studying β-lactamases

CENTA, a chromogenic cephalosporin, is readily hydrolyzed by B-lactamases of all classes except for the Aeromonas hydrophila metalloenzyme. Although it cannot practically be used for the detection of beta -lactamase-producing strains on agar plates, it should be quite useful for kinetic studies and the detection of the enzymes in crude extracts and chromatographic fractions.