Beta-1,3 glucans are a principle carbohydrate component, so that when treated with a glucanase detaches biofilms from a substrate. (1,3)-β-Glucans such as callose, curdlan and related glucans can be specifically detected by staining with the triphenylmethane dye Aniline Blue at pH 8, or by the bright yellow ultraviolet (UV)-induced fluorescence when the Aniline Blue fluorochrome (a benzophenone derivative) is bound to (1,3)-β-glucan and (1,3)-β-xylan chains.