SIMPLE SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC METHOD FOR ESTIMATING GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN CONCENTRATIONS

A rapid and simple spectrophotometric method is described for the estimation of microgram quantities of glycosaminoglycans following the formation of soluble complexes with alcian blue dye. The method is based on the different absorption spectra of the dye and dye-glycosaminoglycan complexes. No heating, centrifugation, lengthy equilibration, or sophisticated instrumentation which hamper other methods are required. Samples are mixed with freshly prepared dye solution and absorbance readings at 480 nm are compared to an appropriate standard curve. Albumin and individual monosaccharides do not interfere with the assay but high concentrations of chloride ion do. The method is suitable for the estimation of total glycosaminoglycan levels in biological fluids such as urine and blood. © 1979.