Fluorescent spot test for detecting carbohydrate-splitting enzymes in meconium.

Abstract

I describe a fluorescent spot test for detecting the acidic glycosidases in meconium. Meconium is mixed with various 4-methylumbelliferylglycosides at the appropriate pH. In the presence of carbohydrate-splitting enzymes, 4-methylumbelliferone, a strongly fluorescent compound, is released. The reaction mixture, when spotted on chromatography paper and viewed under ultraviolet light, exhibits a bright fluorescence for specimens containing acidic glycosidases. The technique is applicable to any test that involves production of fluorescent products from non-fluorescent reactants. The procedure was applied to meconium specimens selected because of increased albumin content known to be associated with cystic fibrosis in newborns. The presence of beta-D-fucosidase in meconium was correlated to increased albumin content. Detection of beta-D-fucosidase by the present procedure may be useful as a screening test for cystic fibrosis.

• Authors: M C Hsieh
• Journal: Clinical chemistry (Clin Chem) Vol. 27 Issue 3 Pg. 388-90 (Mar 1981) ISSN: 0009-9147 [Print] England
• PMID: 6258822 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Albumins
• Umbelliferones
• Hymecromone
• Glycoside Hydrolases
• alpha-Glucosidases
• beta-Glucosidase
• alpha-Galactosidase
• beta-Galactosidase
• alpha-L-Fucosidase

Topics

• Albumins (analysis)
• Fluorescence
• Glycoside Hydrolases (analysis)
• Humans
• Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
• Hymecromone
• Infant, Newborn
• Meconium (enzymology)
• Ultraviolet Rays
• Umbelliferones
• alpha-Galactosidase (analysis)
• alpha-Glucosidases (analysis)
• alpha-L-Fucosidase (analysis)
• beta-Galactosidase (analysis)
• beta-Glucosidase (analysis)