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A series of [2-(nitroaryl)ethenyl]pyridinium and quinolinium derivatives have been synthesised as potential indicators of microbial nitroreductase activity. When assessed against a selection of 20 clinically important pathogenic microorganisms, microbial colonies of various colours (yellow, green, red, brown, black) were produced and attributed to nitroreductase activity. Most substrates elicited colour responses with Gram-negative microorganisms. In contrast, the growth of several species of Gram-positive microorganisms and yeasts was often inhibited by the substrates and hence coloured responses were not seen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]