This invention has as its object a method for detecting catalytic activity of a sample, characterized in that it comprises: the incubation of a substrate (S) with the sample that may have the catalytic activity that it is desired to detect, the addition of a reagent (X) that can react either with a chemical group of unconsumed substrate (S) or with a chemical group of product (P) that is formed after an incubation period with the sample, the addition of a developer (R) that can react with reagent (X), and the detection of the transformation of developer (R).