Color Additive Assays

Sodium copper chlorophyllin, approved by the FDA as a color additive in citrus-based dry beverage mixes, should have a ratio of absorbance (SoretQ band) not less than 3.4 and not more than 3.9. In Europe, purity criteria of the food additives E141[i] and E141[ii], which are copper complexes of chlorophyll and chlorophyllin, respectively, are set out in the EC color specifications that include identification and spectrophotometric assay tests. ... 

An assay is an analysis in which a named material is analyzed for that named material. For example, the assay of a tablet of ibuprofen is an analysis of the tablet for ibuprofen content. An analysis is not an assay when the analyte is some material other than the named material. An analysis of a calcium supplement for a color additive is not an assay. 

The Soy Protein Residue Assay is a double-antibody (sandwich) ELISA using specific anti-soy tripsyn inhibitor and other soy protein antibodies coated onto microwells. After addition of the sample, the enzyme conjugate, and the TMB substrate, a positive reaction (indicating the presence of soy protein), produces a blue color. Addition of the stop solution ends the assay and turns blue to yellow. The result may be read visually (in the qualitative method) or with an ELISA reader (in the qualitative or quantitative method). Quantification can be obtained by mnning positive control standards (2.5-5-10-25 ppm) together with the samples. A standard curve is then plotted using the optical density (OD) values of the control standards (OD vs. concentration). 

Hydantoin itself can be detected ia small concentrations ia the presence of other NH-containing compounds by paper chromatography followed by detection with a mercury acetate—diphenylcarba2one spray reagent. A variety of analytical reactions has been developed for 5,5-disubstituted hydantoias, due to their medicinal iaterest. These reactions are best exemplified by reference to the assays used for 5,5-diphenylhydantoiQ (73—78), most of which are based on their cycHc ureide stmcture. Identity tests iaclude the foUowiag (/) the Zwikker reaction, consisting of the formation of a colored complex on treatment with cobalt(II) salts ia the presence of an amine (2) formation of colored copper complexes and (3) precipitation on addition of silver(I) species, due to formation of iasoluble salts at N. ... 

EIAs can be used per se or with a spectrophotometer. Traditionally, EIAs have been developed in 96-weU microtiter plates which provide the immobilization support for the assay, the reaction vessel, and, when linked to a spectrophotometer-based reader, a rapid means to detect and quantify the color resulting from interaction of a substrate with the antibody—antigen—enzyme complex. Automated immunoassay analyzers targeted primarily for use in the clinical laboratory have taken automation one step further, utilizing robotics to carry out all reagent additions, washings, and final quantification including report preparation. 

A 250-mL, two-necked, round-bottomed flask equipped with a magnetic stirbar, thermometer, and a reflux condenser fitted with a rubber septum and balloon of argon is charged with a solution of methyltrioxorhenium (MTO) (0.013 g, 0.05 mmol, 0.1% mol equiv) in 100 mL of methanol (Note 1). Urea hydrogen peroxide (UHP) (14.3 g, 152 mmol) is added (Notes 1, 2, 3, 4), the flask is cooled in an ice bath, and dibenzylamine (9.7 mL, 50.7 mmol) is then added dropwise via syringe over 10 min (Notes 1, 5). After completion of the addition, the ice bath is removed and the mixture is stirred at room temperature (Note 6). A white precipitate forms after approximately 5 min (Note 7) and the yellow color disappears within 20 min (Note 8). Another four portions of MTO (0.1% mol equiv, 0.013 g each) are added at 30-min intervals (2.5 hr total reaction time). After each addition, the reaction mixture develops a yellow color, which then disappears only after the last addition does the mixture remain pale yellow (Note 9). The reaction flask is cooled in an ice bath and solid sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate (12.6 g, 50.7 mmol) is added in portions over 20 min in order to destroy excess hydrogen peroxide (Note 10). The cooled solution is stirred for 1 hr further, at which point a KI paper assay indicates that the excess oxidant has been completely consumed. The solution is decanted into a 500-mL flask to remove small amounts of undissolved thiosulfate. The solid is washed with 50 mL of MeOH and the methanol extract is added to the reaction solution which is then concentrated under reduced pressure by rotary evaporation. Dichloromethane (250 mL) is added to the residue and the urea is removed by filtration through cotton and celite. Concentration of the filtrate affords 10.3 g (97%) of the nitrone as a yellow solid (Note 11). 

The rapid turnover rate of some enzymes allows ELISAs to be designed that surpass the sensitivity of radiolabeling techniques. In addition, substrates can be chosen to produce soluble products that can be accurately quantified by their absorbance or fluorescence. Alternatively, substrates are available which form insoluble, highly colored precipitates, excellent for localizing antigens in blots, cells, or tissue sections. The flexibility of enzyme-based assay systems makes the chemistry of enzyme conjugation one of the most important application areas in bioconjugate techniques. 

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