A colorimetric method for the quantitation of uronic acids and a specific assay for galacturonic acid

A method of quantitating uronic acids and uronic acids from pectin in particular is described. The method uses carbazole in 80% sulfuric acid with borate ions added. The assay is carried out at 60 degrees C. This assay has some cross reactivity with aldose sugars and must be timed precisely. A further method that is specific for galacturonic acid is also described. This method uses concentrated sulfuric acid and carbazole only. Of the biological substances tested, only formaldehyde and glyceraldehyde showed a reactivity of more than 10% that of galacturonic acid on a weight to weight basis.