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1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide interference with Lowry method
Rakesh Kumar1, Awdhesh Kumar Shukla, Ellis Bagga
1Biomolecular Electronics and Nanotechnology Division (BEND), Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), Sector 30-C, Chandigarh 160030, India. dabasrk@rediffmail.com
Analytical Biochemistry
|December 8, 2004
Summary
1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) interferes with protein assays. This interference, caused by EDC reducing reagents, leads to falsely elevated protein content measurements in samples.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- The Lowry method is a common protein quantification technique.
- Chemical reagents used in protein assays can sometimes interfere with results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interference of 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) with the Lowry protein determination method.
Main Methods:
- The Lowry method was performed in the presence of EDC.
- Absorbance was measured at 660 and 750 nm.
- Time-response analysis was conducted.
Main Results:
- EDC interference was observed to be nearly additive at both 660 and 750 nm.
- A blue-colored complex, similar to that formed with bovine serum albumin (BSA), developed with EDC.
- The kinetic pattern of color development for EDC mirrored that of BSA.
Conclusions:
- EDC interferes with the Lowry protein assay by causing a false increase in apparent protein concentration.
- The interference is attributed to EDC's ability to reduce the folin-ciocalteu reagent.
- Researchers should be aware of this interference when using EDC in protein studies.