[A stable reagent for the-single stage determination of inorganic phosphate]

A recipe of a simple reagent for phosphorus detection has been developed, consisting of ammonium molybdate (4 mM), sulfuric acid (0.2 N), and Tween-80 (0.2%). The developing phosphate staining may be registered in 15 min at a wavelength of 350 nm. The product molar extinction is equal to 1.20.10(4) M-1.cm-1, this being close to that of molybdic blue. Phosphate staining is characterized by the stability of results and insensitivity to the presence of a number of substances used in enzymology. The prepared reagent is fit for experiments within a fortnight if stored in the cold.