BHB (beta-hydroxybutyrate or β-Hydroxybutyrate) is one of the major ketone bodies and it can be used to monitor level of Ketosis.
The reagent pad on the test strip contains an enzyme that converts Beta-decylbutyric (BHBA) to acetoacetate. This reaction generates hydrogen ions that reduce nitrotetrazolium blue to formazan, which is purple in color. The darker the purple color, the higher the concentration of BHBA.
| BHBA concentration in milk Indication | Indication |
| 0-99 µmol/L | normal (-) |
| 100-199 µmol/L | questionable (+/-) |
| 200-499 µmol/L | positive (+) |
| 500 + µmol/L | positive (++) |
