A new rapid fluorimetric method for the determination of carbonic anhydrase

Abstract A new assay procedure for carbonic anhydrase activity has been developed, based on the formation of a fluorescent inclusion complex of carbonic anhydrase with dansylamide. The excitation and emission wavelengths of the fluorescent complex are at 280 nm and 460 nm, respectively. The method can be used at 20 ± 1 ° C , with buffered media over a pH range of 7.0–8.5. The detection limit for carbonic anhydrase is 29 ng ml −1 . The recommended method is very sensitive, simple and rapid, making it ideal for routine determinations of carbonic anhydrase activity.