The analysis of picomole amounts of L(+)- and D(-)-lactic acid in samples of dental plaque using bacterial luciferase.
L(+)-Lactic acid (5 pmol) and D(-)-lactic acid (20 pmol) were assayed by coupling the generation of NADH with the use of bacterial luciferase. The binding of NADH to L(+)-lactic dehydrogenase made it necessary to denature the protein so that the assay with bacterial luciferase was effective. The coupled luciferase assay of L(+)-lactic acid was 400 times more sensitive than the fluorometric assay. The luciferase coupled assay was used to analyze the L(+)- and D(-)-lactic acid contents of small samples of dental plaque.
D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000032:analysis*; D005470:Fluorometry; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000032:analysis*; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008156:Luciferases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008832:Microchemistry; D009243:NAD / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
D007773:Lactates; D009243:NAD; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008156:Luciferases