It is primarily used as a histological dye used to detectindoles, particularly for production in cells. It is used for the rapid identification of bacteria containingtryptophanase enzyme systems.[citation needed] It is also particularly useful for localization ofproanthocyanidins compounds in plants, resulting in a blue staining. It has been used for grapevine fruit[4] or for legumes foliage[5] histology.
A colorimetric assay based upon the reaction of A-rings[clarification needed] with the chromogen.p-Dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde has been developed forflavanoids in beer that can be compared with thevanillin procedure.[6] The DMACA reagent may be superior to the vanillin procedure for the detection ofcatechins.[7]
The DMACA reagent changes color over several days when exposed to air but when refrigerated can be stored for up to two weeks.[8]
The DMACA reagent may also be referred to as the Renz and Loew reagent.[3][9]
^Li, Y. G.; Tanner, G.; Larkin, P. (1996). "TheDMACA-HCl Protocol and the Threshold Proanthocyanidin Content for Bloat Safety in Forage Legumes".Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.70:89–101.doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-0010(199601)70:1<89::AID-JSFA470>3.0.CO;2-N.
^A new colourimetric assay for flavonoids in pilsner beers. Jan A. Delcour and Didier Janssens de Varebeke, Journal of the Institute of Brewing, January–February 1985, Volume 91, Issue 1, pages 37–40,doi:10.1002/j.2050-0416.1985.tb04303.x
^Glavnik, V.; Simonovska, B.; Vovk, I. (2009). "Densitometric determination of (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin by 4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde reagent".Journal of Chromatography A.1216 (20):4485–91.doi:10.1016/j.chroma.2009.03.026.PMID19339019.
