The unknown bacterium that you are testing makes the enzyme phenyalanine deaminase, as indicated by the results of a phenylalanine test. this enzyme facilitates the removal of a/an group from the organic compound so it can be converted into an intermediate compound for the krebs cycle.

This enzyme facilitates the removal of an amino group from the organic compound so it can be converted into an intermediate compound for the krebbs cycle.  

Explanation:

An organism’s ability to produce the enzyme deaminase can be tested using the phenylalanine deaminase medium. Phenylalanine is an amino acid that contains amino group. The enzyme deaminase removes the amino group from this as free ammonia.  

In the testing medium containing phenylalanine 10% ferric chloride is added after sufficient incubation. In the case of organisms that produce deaminase enzyme they phenyl pyruvic acid will be produced in the medium. This phenyl pyruvic acid will then react with ferric chloride and turn dark green.  

In organisms that do not produce the enzyme no such reaction will take place and the medium will maintain the straw color.