Assays for the identification and quantification of sialic acids: Challenges, opportunities and future perspectives

N-Acetyl neuraminic acid (sialic acid) is a monosaccharide generally found as the terminating unit on glycans, which in turn are surface of cells and glycoproteins. These glycans aid variety biological functions such cell interactions immune response. Sialic has been identified biomarker for cardiovascular disease, diabetes range other inflammatory degenerative conditions. It also marker different types cancer. levels vary depending level inflammation present during course an disease it overexpressed by tumours shield against system. Since discovery sialic acid, numerous assays have developed identification quantification derivative monosaccharides these fall into four main groups: colorimetric, fluorometric, enzymatic chromatographic/mass spectrometric, with much overlap between these. Given importance acids pathways, this review article critically appraises that used to detect quantify its derivatives. Thus details method, sensitivity, specificity wider scope assays, concludes suggesting some future directions assay development application. In way, insight provided allow accurate quantitation samples, may facilitate roles healthy pathways.