BANA test explained

The BANA test (referring to the enzymatic breakdown of [N-benzoyl-dL-arginine-2-napthylamide]) is used to determine the proteolytic activity of certain oral anaerobes that contribute to oral malodor. Some bacteria, e.g. Prophyromona gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Bacteroides forsythus (Red complex) produce waste products that are quite odiferous, and as a result contribute to bad breath.^[1]

When a sample of a patient's saliva that contains these bacteria is placed within the BANA testing compound, it causes the breakdown of the N-benzoyl enzyme. As a result of this biodegradation occurs, the test compound changes color, indicating a positive reaction.^[2]

Uses: Used to identify volatile Sulphur compounds in halitosis patients.

Further reading

• Andrade . José Alexandre de . Feres . Magda . Figueiredo . Luciene Cristina de . Salvador . Sérgio Luiz . Cortelli . Sheila Cavalca . The ability of the BANA test to detect different levels of P. gingivalis, T. denticola and T. forsythia . Brazilian Oral Research . June 2010 . 24 . 2 . 224–230 . 10.1590/S1806-83242010000200016 . 20658043 . free .
• Loesche . W. J. . Lopatin . D. E. . Giordano . J. . Alcoforado . G. . Hujoel . P. . Comparison of the benzoyl-DL-arginine-naphthylamide (BANA) test, DNA probes, and immunological reagents for ability to detect anaerobic periodontal infections due to Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Bacteroides forsythus. . Journal of Clinical Microbiology . 1 February 1992 . 30 . 2 . 427–433 . 10.1128/JCM.30.2.427-433.1992 . 1311335 . 265072 . free .

Notes and References

1. 4555797. 2015. Dhalla. N. The detection of BANA micro-organisms in adult periodontitis before and after scaling and root planing by BANA-Enzymatic™ test kit: An in vivo study. Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology. 19. 4. 401–405. Patil. S. Chaubey. K. K. Narula. I. S. 26392688. 10.4103/0972-124X.154167 . free .
2. Book: Periodontis Revisited . 2011 . 242 . 978-93-5025-367-0. Bathla . Shalu . JP Medical .