The Estimation of Galactose in Plasma Using Galactose Oxidase.

The estimation of galactose in plasma by the enzyme system galactose oxidaseperoxidase was investigated. The method was found to be relatively specific for galactose although xylose and ascorbic acid reacted to a slight degree with the enzyme; lactose also reacted with the enzyme, probably because partial hydrolysis of the disaccharide released galactose. The relationship between absorbance and concentration of galactose greater than 20 mg./100 ml. was linear. Below this value the line curved toward the origin, making accuracy uncertain unless a number of aqueous standards can be run with each batch of estimations.