The DMAB-nitrite histochemical method is a simple and very highly selective, almost specific, method for the amino acid, tryptophan. A blue product obtained with this technique is invariably accepted as proof that the blue stained material contains tryptophan.
DMAB is p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde, also known as 4-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde, 4-Formyl-N,N-dimethylaniline and N,N-Dimethyl-4-formylaniline.

Tryptophan

p-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde

Product: Beta Carboline
The leftmost structural formula above is of tryptophan, the central one is of DMAB, and the rightmost formula is of the initial reaction product that is produced by them. This reaction product is then oxidized with potassium nitrite to form an easily seen, blue colored compound of unspecified structure. It should be noted that formaldehyde and glyceraldehyde can also participate in similar reactions, so if this method is contemplated then formalin fixation should be kept short. The common overnight fixation in 10% formalin variants still permits the technique to give a positive result.