[Measuring neuraminidase activity by the thiobarbiturate method]

A number of reducing agents used for removing the excess of periodate in the reaction of the neuraminidase (EC 3.2.1.18) activity measuring by the thiobarbituric acid technique were compared. The toxic reagent sodium arsenite may be replaced by a 20% solution of ascorbic acid. The modified technique of the neuraminidase activity determining can be used in case of both high-molecular weight substrate ovomucin and low-molecular weight substrate-glycomacropeptide from milk whey.