A Simple Assay for Measuring the Activity of Catalase and Various Metal Cations
Poster Number
13
Format
Poster Presentation
Faculty Mentor Name
Liang Xue
Faculty Mentor Department
Chemistry
Abstract/Artist Statement
We report a simple assay for measuring the activity of catalase and concentration of metal ions. Although hydrogen peroxide is thermodynamically unstable, its decomposition to form water and oxygen is a slow process. When exposed to certain enzymes, compounds, and metal ions, the decomposition becomes kinetically favorable and occurs at a noticeable rate. In our designed assay, hydrogen peroxide is mixed with 5% Triton X-100 to create a solution with high viscosity. Addition of a compound that exhibits activity in hydrogen peroxide decomposition releases oxygen that is captured in a foam layer above the solution. The heights of the foam layers are measured using a ruler and plotted as a function of concentration. The obtained calibration plots can be used as a simple and inexpensive way to measure and quantify the catalytic activity of catalase and of metal cations. It has potential application in detection, identification, and quantification of trace ions and screening inhibitors of enzymes that show activity with hydrogen peroxide.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Start Date
25-4-2015 2:00 PM
End Date
25-4-2015 4:00 PM
A Simple Assay for Measuring the Activity of Catalase and Various Metal Cations
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
We report a simple assay for measuring the activity of catalase and concentration of metal ions. Although hydrogen peroxide is thermodynamically unstable, its decomposition to form water and oxygen is a slow process. When exposed to certain enzymes, compounds, and metal ions, the decomposition becomes kinetically favorable and occurs at a noticeable rate. In our designed assay, hydrogen peroxide is mixed with 5% Triton X-100 to create a solution with high viscosity. Addition of a compound that exhibits activity in hydrogen peroxide decomposition releases oxygen that is captured in a foam layer above the solution. The heights of the foam layers are measured using a ruler and plotted as a function of concentration. The obtained calibration plots can be used as a simple and inexpensive way to measure and quantify the catalytic activity of catalase and of metal cations. It has potential application in detection, identification, and quantification of trace ions and screening inhibitors of enzymes that show activity with hydrogen peroxide.