Elsevier

Methods in Enzymology

Volume 158, 1988, Pages 357-364
Methods in Enzymology

[27] Rapid colorimetric micromethod for the quantitation of complexed iron in biological samples

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This chapter discusses the rapid colorimetric micro-method for the quantitation of complexed iron in biological samples. The array of methods available for quantitating iron in an experimental sample often bewilders the investigator occasionally faced with the need for such quantitation. However, because of the development of more sensitive chromophoric chelators and simpler techniques, new methodologies continually evolve. This chapter describes one of these more recent methodologies for the quantitative determination of iron with ease, sensitivity, and simplicity. Methods commonly employed for the quantitation of complexed iron in biological samples rely on an initial treatment, which releases the complexed iron for its subsequent quantitative determination. Dry ashing in a furnace or wet ashing with hot concentrated acid releases the iron, but both procedures take time and present hazards, particularly for the researcher with only an occasional need to determine the iron content of a biological sample. This chapter explains that the simplicity of the assay procedure easily accommodates a preliminary investigation to examine for possible interference or contamination by any buffer system under consideration. In conclusion, the procedure detailed in this chapter offers the investigator without access to more sophisticated instrumentation, a simple and sensitive colorimetric method for the quantitation of iron in biological material.

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