Factors influencing lysozyme determinations by the lysoplate method.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• The lysoplate method is used for lysozyme quantification.
• Understanding factors influencing this assay is crucial for reliable results.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate key factors impacting the lysoplate method.
• To assess the method's precision and accuracy for potential clinical applications.

Main Methods:

• Investigated the influence of pH, ionic strength, and temperature on the gel medium.
• Considered the impact of sample components like salts and proteins.

Main Results:

• Diffusion rate, not enzymatic properties, is primarily affected by pH, ionic strength, and temperature.
• The lysoplate method demonstrates acceptable precision (around 10% variation coefficient) but variable accuracy.
• Salts and proteins in samples likely influence results similarly to gel medium components.

Conclusions:

• The lysoplate method's accuracy is variable, raising concerns for precise clinical diagnostics.
• Potential clinical utility exists in discriminating lysozyme isoenzymes or detecting disease-associated proteins.
• Further validation is needed to improve accuracy for clinical applications.