Gum guaiac is a tree resin and crude source of 2,5-di-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3,4-dimethylfuran (a-guaiaconic acid).[3] The phenolic a-guaiaconic acid acts as a colorimetric peroxidase substrate.[1][2][4] When reacted with an organic or inorganic oxidizing agent, the a-guaiaconic acid is oxidized to a blue-colored quinone. The guaiac reaction has been used to detect trace amounts of heme from hemoglobin in the presence of peroxide. The Nobles test can be performed using 67% (w/v) gum guaiac diluted in 96% ethanol to analyze the level of extracellular oxidase production [5]CAS Number:9000-29-7Appearance:Brown powderMelting Point:min 85 (dec)°CIdentity (IR):Conforms to structure
