General description

Sialic Acid is a general name for nine carbon acidic sugars with N- or O-substituted derivatives. The most common member of these sugars is N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA). They are associated with carbohydrates and are localized on cell membranes. Sialic acid is widely distributed throughout mammalian tissues and fluids including serum. Sialylated oligosaccharides have been shown to exhibit antiviral properties and are also known to influence blood coagulation and cholesterol levels. The sialic acid level in body fluids is also an important marker for diagnosing cancer.

Principle

This sialic acid assay uses an improved Warren method, in which sialic acid is oxidized to formylpyruvic acid. This reacts with thiobarbituric acid to form a pink colored product. The colorimetric (549nm)/fluorimetric (λex = 555nm/λem = 585nm) product is directly proportional to sialic acid concentration in the sample.

Suitability

Suitable for the quantitative determination of free and total sialic acid (NANA) and evaluation of drug effects on sialic acid in serum, plasma, saliva, milk etc.