An enzymatic colorimetric assay of calcium-dependent phospholipases A

In this paper we describe a new method for the assay of calcium-dependent phospholipases A. In this method released fatty acids are quantitated by an enzymatic colorimetric reagent kit which is commercially available. We have tested the applicability of this assay with enzymes from porcine pancreas (phospholipase A2), snake venom (phospholipase A2), and Rhizopus arrhizus (a lipase with phospholipase A1-like activity) as well as with a phospholipase A2 activity of bovine seminal vesicle fluid. We conclude that the kit procedure is a convenient, rapid and sensitive endpoint assay for calcium-dependent phospholipases A.