Urinary Indican Test (Obermeyer Test)

The essential amino acid tryptophan is converted to indole by intestinal bacteria (tryptophan is a common component of protein in the diet). Following absorption, indole is converted to indoxyl or indican in the liver. The indican is then transported to the kidney where it is excreted. By using the Obermeyer reagent one can measure the amount of indican present in the urine. High amounts of indican can indicate overgrowth of bacterial organisms in the intestines.