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L-LACTIC ACID
(L-LACTATE)

ASSAY PROCEDURE
K-LATE 06/18

(*50 Assays per Kit) or

(450 Auto-Analyser Assays per Kit) or
(500 Microplate Assays per Kit)

* The number of tests per kit can be doubled if all volumes are halved

© Megazyme 2018
INTRODUCTION:
L-Lactic acid is found in many foods and beverages. Produced
naturally by lactic acid bacteria, L-lactic acid is found in many
fermented milk products such as yogurt and cheese, and also
in pickled vegetables and cured meats and fish. It is commonly
supplemented into foods and beverages (E270) where a tart flavour
is desired, and is widely used as a non-volatile acidulant. In the egg
industry, this acid is a quality indicator, where levels above 200 mg/kg
indicate spoilage by contamination or incubation. Similarly, the quality
of milk, fruit and vegetables can be established by measurement of
L-lactic acid content. In the wine industry, the course of malolactic
fermentation is monitored by following the falling level of L-malic
acid and the increasing level of L-lactic acid. In the chemical industry,
L-lactic acid is a raw material in the production of compounds such
as polylactides and biologically degradable polymers, and applications
also exist for this acid in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

PRINCIPLE:
The quantification of L-lactic acid requires two enzyme reactions. In
the first reaction catalysed by L-lactate dehydrogenase (L-LDH),
L-lactic acid (L-lactate) is oxidised to pyruvate by nicotinamide-
adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) (1).

(L-LDH)
(1) L-Lactate + NAD+ pyruvate + NADH + H+

However, since the equilibrium of reaction (1) lies firmly in the favour
of L-lactic acid and NAD+, a further reaction is required to “trap” the
pyruvate product. This is achieved by the conversion of pyruvate to
D-alanine and 2-oxoglutarate, with the enzyme
D-glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (D-GPT) in the presence of a
large excess of D-glutamate (2).

(D-GPT)
(2) Pyruvate + D-glutamate D-alanine + 2-oxoglutarate

The amount of NADH formed in the above coupled reaction is

stoichiometric with the amount of L-lactic acid. It is the NADH
which is measured by the increase in absorbance at 340 nm
(Figure 1, page 4).

1
SPECIFICITY, SENSITIVITY, LINEARITY AND
PRECISION:
The assay is specific for L-lactic acid. In the assay of lithium L-lactate
(MW = 96.0) results of approx. 98% (w/w) can be expected.

The smallest differentiating absorbance for the assay is 0.005

absorbance units. This corresponds to 0.107 mg/L of sample solution
at the maximum sample volume of 1.50 mL (or to 1.60 mg/L with a
sample volume of 0.1 mL). The detection limit is 0.214 mg/L, which
is derived from an absorbance difference of 0.010 and the maximum
sample volume of 1.50 mL.

The assay is linear over the range of 0.3 to 30 μg of L-lactic acid

per assay. In duplicate determinations using one sample solution, an
absorbance difference of 0.005 to 0.010 may occur. With a sample
volume of 1.50 mL, this corresponds to an L-lactic acid concentration
of approx. 0.107 to 0.214 mg/L of sample solution. If the sample
is diluted during sample preparation, the result is multiplied by the
dilution factor, F. If, in sample preparation, the sample is weighed,
e.g. 10 g/L, a difference of 0.02 to 0.05 g/100 g can be expected.

INTERFERENCE:
If the conversion of L-lactic acid has been completed within the time
specified in the assay (approx. 10 min), it can be generally concluded
that no interference has occurred. However, this can be further
checked by adding L-lactic acid (approx. 15 μg in 0.1 mL) to the
cuvette on completion of the reaction. A significant increase in the
absorbance should be observed.

Interfering substances in the sample being analysed can be identified

by including an internal standard. Quantitative recovery of this
standard would be expected. Losses in sample handling and
extraction are identified by performing recovery experiments, i.e. by
adding L-lactic acid to the sample in the initial extraction steps.

SAFETY:
The general safety measures that apply to all chemical substances
should be adhered to.

For more information regarding the safe usage and handling of this
product please refer to the associated SDS that is available from the
Megazyme website.

2
KITS:
Kits suitable for performing 50 assays in manual format (or 450
assays in auto-analyser format or 500 assays in microplate format) are
available from Megazyme. The kits contain the full assay method plus:
Bottle 1: Buffer (25 mL, pH 10.0) plus D-glutamate
and sodium azide (0.02% w/v) as a preservative.
Stable for > 2 years at 4°C.
Bottle 2: NAD+/PVP.
Stable for > 5 years below -10°C.
Bottle 3: D-Glutamate-pyruvate transaminase suspension
(1.1 mL).
Stable for > 2 years at 4°C.
Bottle 4: L-Lactate dehydrogenase suspension (1.1 mL).
Stable for > 2 years at 4°C.
Bottle 5: L-Lactic acid standard solution (5 mL, 0.15 mg/mL)
in 0.02% (w/v) sodium azide.
Stable for > 2 years at 4°C.

PREPARATION OF REAGENT SOLUTIONS (SUPPLIED):

1. Use the contents of bottle 1 as supplied.
Stable for > 2 years at 4°C.

NOTE: In order to obtain the fast reaction velocities experienced

with this kit, a near saturating level of D-glutamate is employed. On
prolonged storage, it is possible that a small amount of D-glutamate
may crystallise at the bottom of the bottle. This does not affect the
assay and can either be ignored, or resolubilised by incubation (with
occasional swirling) in warm water until the solution is clear.

2. Dissolve the contents of bottle 2 in 5.5 mL of distilled water.

Stable for > 1 year at 4°C or stable for > 2 years below
-10°C (to avoid repetitive freeze/thaw cycles, divide into
appropriately sized aliquots and store in polypropylene
tubes).
3 & 4. Use the contents of bottles 3 and 4 as supplied. Before
opening for the first time, shake the bottles to remove any
enzyme that may have settled on the rubber stopper.
Subsequently, store the bottles in an upright position. Swirl
the bottles to mix contents before use.
Stable for > 2 years at 4°C.
5. Use the contents of bottle 5 as supplied.
Stable for > 2 years at 4°C.
3
 NOTE: The L-lactic acid standard solution is only assayed where
there is some doubt about the accuracy of the spectrophotometer
being used or where it is suspected that inhibition is being caused by
substances in the sample. The concentration of L-lactic acid is
determined directly from the extinction coefficient of NADH
(see page 6).

EQUIPMENT (RECOMMENDED):
1. Volumetric flasks (50 mL and 100 mL).
2. Disposable plastic or glass cuvettes (1 cm light path, 3.0 mL).
3. Micro-pipettors, e.g. Gilson Pipetman® (20 μL, 200 μL and 1 mL).
4. Positive displacement pipettor, e.g. Eppendorf Multipette®
- with 25 mL Combitip® (to dispense 0.5 mL aliquots of Buffer 1
and 0.1 mL aliquots of NAD+/PVP solution).
5. Analytical balance.
6. Stop clock.
7. Spectrophotometer set at 340 nm.
8. Vortex mixer (e.g. IKA® Yellowline Test Tube Shaker TTS2).
9 Whatman No. 1 (9 cm) filter papers.
Absorbance, 340 nm

Blank
Standard

Incubation time, min

Figure 1. Increase in absorbance at 340 nm on incubation of

22 μg of L-lactic acid with L-lactate dehydrogenase and D-glutamate-
pyruvate transaminase in the presence of NAD+/PVP.
4
A. MANUAL ASSAY PROCEDURE:
Wavelength: 340 nm
Cuvette: 1 cm light path (glass or plastic)
Temperature: ~ 25°C
Final volume: 2.24 mL
Sample solution: 0.3-30 μg of L-lactic acid per cuvette
(in 0.10-1.50 mL sample volume)
Read against air (without a cuvette in the light path) or against water

Pipette into cuvettes Blank Sample

distilled water (~ 25°C) 1.60 mL 1.50 mL
sample - 0.10 mL
solution 1 (buffer) 0.50 mL 0.50 mL
solution 2 (NAD+/PVP) 0.10 mL 0.10 mL
suspension 3 (D-GPT) 0.02 mL 0.02 mL

Mix*, read the absorbances of the solutions (A1) after approx.

3 min and start the reactions by addition of:

suspension 4 (L-LDH) 0.02 mL 0.02 mL

Mix* and read the absorbances of the solutions (A2) at the end of the
reaction (approx. 10 min). If the reaction has not stopped after
10 min, continue to read the absorbances at 5 min intervals until the
absorbances either remain the same, or increase constantly over
5 min**.

* for example with a plastic spatula or by gentle inversion after sealing

the cuvette with a cuvette cap or Parafilm®.

** if this “creep” rate is greater for the sample than for the blank,
extrapolate the absorbances (sample and blank) back to the time of
addition of suspension 4.

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CALCULATION:
Determine the absorbance difference (A2-A1) for both blank and
sample. Subtract the absorbance difference of the blank from the
absorbance difference of the sample, thereby obtaining
ΔAL-lactic acid. The value of ΔAL-lactic acid should as a rule be at least
0.100 absorbance units to achieve sufficiently accurate results.

The concentration of L-lactic acid can be calculated as follows:

c = V x MW x ΔAL-lactic acid [g/L]

ε x d x v

where:
V = final volume [mL]
MW = molecular weight of L-lactic acid [g/mol]
ε = extinction coefficient of NADH at 340 nm
= 6300 [l x mol-1 x cm-1]
d = light path [cm]
v = sample volume [mL]

It follows for L-lactic acid:

c = 2.24 x 90.1 x ΔAL-lactic acid [g/L]
6300 x 1.0 x 0.1

= 0.3204 x ΔAL-lactic acid [g/L]

If the sample has been diluted during preparation, the result must be
multiplied by the dilution factor, F.

When analysing solid and semi-solid samples which are weighed out
for sample preparation, the content (g/100 g) is calculated from the
amount weighed as follows:

Content of L-lactic acid

= cL-lactic acid [g/L sample solution] x 100 [g/100 g]

weightsample [g/L sample solution]

NOTE: These calculations can be simplified by using the Megazyme

Mega-CalcTM, downloadable from where the product appears on
the Megazyme website (www.megazyme.com).

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B. AUTO-ANALYSER ASSAY PROCEDURE:

NOTES:
1. The Auto-Analyser Assay Procedure for L-lactic acid can
be performed using either a single point standard or a full
calibration curve.
2. For each batch of samples that is applied to the determination of
L-lactic acid either a single point standard or a calibration
curve must be performed concurrently using the same
batch of reagents.

Reagent preparation is performed as follows:

Preparation of R1:

Component Volume

distilled water 12.9 mL

solution 1 (buffer) 5.0 mL
solution 2 (NAD+/PVP) 1.0 mL (after adding 5.5 mL of H2O to bottle 2)
suspension 3 (D-GPT) 0.2 mL
Total volume 19.1 mL

Preparation of R2:

Component Volume

distilled water 2.2 mL

suspension 4 (L-LDH) 0.2 mL
Total volume 2.4 mL

EXAMPLE METHOD:
R1: 0.200 mL
Sample: ~ 0.01 mL
R2: 0.025 mL

Reaction time: ~ 10 min at 37°C

Wavelength: 340 nm
Prepared reagent stability: > 2 days when refrigerated
Calculation: endpoint
Reaction direction: increase
Linearity: up to 310 mg/L of L-lactic acid
using 0.01 mL sample volume

7
C. MICROPLATE ASSAY PROCEDURE:

NOTES:
1. The Microplate Assay Procedure for L-lactic acid can be performed
using either a single point standard or a full calibration curve.
2. For each batch of samples that is applied to the determination of
L-lactic acid either a single point standard or a calibration
curve must be performed concurrently using the same
batch of reagents.

Wavelength: 340 nm
Microplate: 96-well (e.g. clear flat-bottomed, glass or plastic)
Temperature: ~ 25°C
Final volume: 0.224 mL
Linearity: 0.1-3 μg of L-lactic acid per well
(in 0.01-0.20 mL sample volume)

Pipette into wells Blank Sample Standard

distilled water 0.160 mL 0.150 mL 0.150 mL

sample solution - 0.010 mL -
standard solution - - 0.010 mL
solution 1 (buffer) 0.050 mL 0.050 mL 0.050 mL
solution 2 (NAD+/PVP) 0.010 mL 0.010 mL 0.010 mL
suspension 3 (D-GPT) 0.002 mL 0.002 mL 0.002 mL

Mix* and read the absorbances of the solutions (A1) after approx.
3 min and start the reactions by addition of:
suspension 4 (L-LDH) 0.002 mL 0.002 mL 0.002 mL
Mix* and read the absorbances of the solutions (A2) at the end of
the reaction (approx. 10 min). If the reaction has not stopped after
10 min, continue to read the absorbances at 5 min intervals until the
absorbances increase constantly over 5 min**.

* for example using microplate shaker, shake function on a microplate reader

or repeated aspiration (e.g. using a pipettor set at 50-100 μL volume).
** if this “creep” rate is greater for the sample than for the blank, extrapolate
the sample absorbances back to the time of addition of suspension 4.
CALCULATION (Microplate Assay Procedure):
g/L = ∆Asample x g/L standard x F
∆Astandard
If the sample is diluted during preparation, the result must be
multiplied by the dilution factor, F.
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SAMPLE PREPARATION:
1. Sample dilution.
The amount of L-lactic acid present in the cuvette (i.e. in the 0.1 mL
of sample being analysed) should range between 0.3 and 30 μg. The
sample solution must therefore be diluted sufficiently to yield an
L-lactic acid concentration between 0.003 and 0.30 g/L.

Dilution Table
Estimated concentration of Dilution Dilution
L-lactic acid (g/L) with water factor (F)
< 0.30 No dilution required 1
0.30-3.0 1 + 9 10
3.0-30 1 + 99 100
> 30 1 + 999 1000

If the value of ΔAL-lactic acid is too low (e.g. < 0.100), weigh out more
sample or dilute less strongly. Alternatively, the sample volume to
be pipetted into the cuvette can be increased up to 1.50 mL, making
sure that the sum of the sample and distilled water components in the
reaction is 1.60 mL and using the new sample volume in the equation.

2. Sample clarification.
a. Solutions:
Carrez I solution. Dissolve 3.60 g of potassium hexacyanoferrate
(II) {K4[Fe(CN)6].3H2O} (Sigma cat. no. P9387) in 100 mL of distilled
water. Store at room temperature.
Carrez II solution. Dissolve 7.20 g of zinc sulphate (ZnSO4.7H2O)
(Sigma cat. no. Z4750) in 100 mL of distilled water. Store at room
temperature.
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH, 100 mM). Dissolve 4 g of NaOH in
1 L of distilled water. Store at room temperature.

b. Procedure:
Pipette the liquid sample into a 100 mL volumetric flask which
contains approx. 60 mL of distilled water, or weigh sufficient quantity
of the sample into a 100 mL volumetric flask and add 60 mL of
distilled water. Carefully add 5 mL of Carrez I solution, 5 mL of
Carrez II solution and 10 mL of NaOH solution (100 mM). Mix after
each addition. Fill the volumetric flask to the mark, mix and filter.

3. General considerations.
(a) Liquid samples: for clear, slightly coloured liquid samples,
adjust the pH to approx. 10 and use directly in the assay.
9
(b) Acidic samples: if > 0.1 mL of an acidic sample is to be used
undiluted (such as wine or fruit juice), the pH of the solution should
be increased to approx. 10.0 using 2 M NaOH, and the solution
incubated at room temperature for 30 min.
(c) Carbon dioxide: samples containing a significant amount of
carbon dioxide, such as beer, should be degassed by increasing the
pH to approx. 10.0 with 2 M NaOH and gentle stirring, or by stirring
with a glass rod.
(d) Coloured samples: an additional sample blank, i.e. sample with
no L-LDH, may be necessary in the case of coloured samples.
(e) Strongly coloured samples: if used undiluted, strongly
coloured samples should be treated by the addition of 0.2 g of
polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) per 10 mL of sample. Shake the tube
vigorously for 5 min and then filter through Whatman No. 1 filter
paper.
(f) Solid samples: homogenise or crush solid samples in distilled
water and filter if necessary.
(g) Samples containing fat: extract such samples with hot water
at a temperature above the melting point of the fat, e.g. in a 100 mL
volumetric flask at 60°C. Allow to cool to room temperature and
fill the volumetric flask to the mark with distilled water. Store on
ice or in a refrigerator for 15-30 min to allow the fat to separate
and then filter. Discard the first few mL of filtrate and use the
clear supernatant (which may be slightly opalescent) for assay.
Alternatively, clarify with Carrez reagents.
(h) Samples containing protein: deproteinise samples containing
protein by adding an equal volume of ice-cold 1 M perchloric acid
with mixing. Centrifuge at 1,500 g for 10 min and neutralise the
supernatant with 1 M KOH. Alternatively, use Carrez reagents.

SAMPLE PREPARATION EXAMPLES:

(a) Determination of free L-lactic acid in wine.
The free L-lactic acid concentration [F] of white and red wine can
generally be determined without any sample treatment (except
dilution according to the dilution table). Typically, a dilution of 1:10
and sample volume of 0.1 mL are satisfactory.

(b) Determination of free and esterified L-lactic acid in

wine.
The concentration of both free and esterified L-lactic acid [F + E] in
white and red wine can be determined as follows: add 2 mL of
2 M NaOH to 20 mL of wine and heat under reflux for 15 min with
stirring. After cooling, carefully adjust the pH of the solution to 10.0
10
with 1 M H2SO4 and adjust the volume to 100 mL with distilled
water. Then analyse the sample according to the general procedure,
with dilution where necessary. Typically, no further dilution is required
and a sample volume of 0.1 mL is satisfactory.

The concentration obtained is the sum of the free and esterified

L-lactic acid [F + E], and thus the esterified L-lactic acid concentration
alone [E] can be calculated as follows:
[E] = [F + E] – [F] [g/L]

(c) Determination of L-lactic acid in beer.

The L-lactic acid concentration of beer can generally be determined
without any sample treatment, except removal of carbon dioxide
by stirring for approx. 1 min with a glass rod. Typically, no dilution is
required and a sample volume of 0.2 mL is satisfactory.

(d) Determination of L-lactic acid in yogurt and milk.

Accurately weigh approx. 1 g of homogenised yogurt or 10 g of milk
into a 100 mL volumetric flask containing 60 mL of distilled water.
Add the following solutions and mix after each addition: 2 mL of
Carrez I solution, 2 mL of Carrez II solution and 4 mL of NaOH
solution (100 mM). Fill up to the mark with distilled water, mix and
filter. Typically, no further dilution is required and sample volumes of
0.1 mL (for yogurt) and 1.0 mL (for milk) are satisfactory.

(e) Determination of L-lactic acid in cheese.

Accurately weigh approx. 1 g of grated cheese into a 100 mL
volumetric flask containing approx. 70 mL of distilled water and heat
at 60°C with occasional shaking for 20 min, or until fully dispersed.
Fill up to the mark with distilled water, place in a refrigerator (or
ice-water) for approx. 20 min to allow separation of the fat and then
filter. Typically, no dilution is required and a sample volume of 0.1 mL is
satisfactory.
(f) Determination of L-lactic acid in vinegar and vinegar-
containing liquids.
The L-lactic acid concentration of vinegar or other pickling liquids
can generally be determined without any sample treatment (except
filtration where necessary and dilution according to the dilution
table). Typically, no dilution is required and a sample volume of 0.1 mL is
satisfactory.

(g) Determination of L-lactic acid in sauerkraut juice.

The L-lactic acid concentration of sauerkraut juice can generally be
determined without any sample treatment (except filtration where
necessary and dilution according to the dilution table). Typically, a
dilution of 1:100 and sample volume of 0.1 mL are satisfactory.
11
(h) Determination of L-lactic acid in meat products.
Accurately weigh approx. 5 g of homogenised sample into a beaker
containing 20 mL of 1 M perchloric acid and homogenise with an Ultra-
turrax® (or equivalent) for 5 min. Add approx. 40 mL of distilled
water and adjust the pH to approx. 10.0 with 2 M KOH, using pH test
strips. Transfer the contents quantitatively to a 100 mL volumetric
flask and fill to the mark with distilled water (if a fat layer develops,
make sure this is above the mark, and the aqueous layer is at the
mark). Place in a refrigerator (or ice-water) for approx. 20 min to
allow separation of fat and precipitation of potassium perchlorate.
Filter, discarding the first few mL of filtrate and use the clear possibly
slightly turbid solution diluted, if necessary, for the assay. Typically, a
dilution of 1:2 and sample volume of 0.1 mL are satisfactory.

(i) Determination of L-lactic acid in liquid whole egg.

Homogenise the whole egg sample by vigorous stirring and accurately
weigh approx. 10 g into a 50 mL volumetric flask containing approx.
20 mL of distilled water. Add 2 drops of n-octanol and heat at
approx. 100°C with occasional shaking for 15 min, and then allow to
cool. With mixing after each addition, add 2 mL of concentrated
Carrez I solution {15 g of K4[Fe(CN)6].3H2O in 100 mL of distilled
water} and 2 mL of concentrated Carrez II solution (30 g of
ZnSO4.7H2O in 100 mL of distilled water). Fill up to the mark with
0.1 M NaOH, thoroughly mix and filter. Typically, no further dilution is
required and a sample volume of 0.1 mL is satisfactory for contaminated
or incubated eggs, or 0.5 mL for fresh eggs.

The L-lactic acid content of whole egg powder is determined

by accurately weighing approx. 2 g of whole egg powder into a
volumetric flask containing 25 mL of distilled water. After mixing,
add 2 drops of n-octanol and proceed as described above, except
after the addition of concentrated Carrez II solution, the pH should
be adjusted to 9.0 using 1 M NaOH. Typically, no further dilution is
required and a sample volume of 0.1 mL is satisfactory for poor quality egg
powder, or 0.5 mL for good quality egg powder.

(j) Determination of L-lactic acid in vegetable juices, fruit

juices and similar beverages.
Dilute the sample to yield an L-lactic acid concentration of less than
0.35 g/L (see dilution table). Clear, neutral solutions can generally be
determined without any sample treatment. Turbid liquids generally
only require filtering before the dilution step.

If coloured vegetable juice or fruit (such as tomato juice) requires

decolourising, proceed as follows: accurately weigh approx. 5 g of
homogenised sample into a 100 mL volumetric flask containing 60 mL

12
of distilled water. Add the following solutions and mix after each
addition: 2 mL of Carrez I solution, 2 mL of Carrez II solution and
4 mL of 0.1 M NaOH solution. Fill up to the mark with distilled
water, mix and filter. Typically, no further dilution is required and a
sample volume of 0.1 mL is satisfactory.

If coloured fruit juice (such as orange juice) requires decolourising,

proceed as follows: adjust 25 mL of filtered sample to a pH of
approx. 10.0 using 2 M NaOH. Quantitatively transfer the solution
to a 50 mL volumetric flask and adjust to volume with distilled water.
Transfer to a beaker and add 1 g of PVPP, stir for 2 min and filter
through Whatman No. 1 (9 cm) filter paper. Typically, no further
dilution is required and a sample volume of 0.1 mL is satisfactory.

(k) Determination of L-lactic acid in whole blood samples.

a. Solutions:
Concentrated Carrez I solution. Dissolve 30 g of potassium
hexacyanoferrate (II) {K4[Fe(CN)6].3H2O} (Sigma cat. no. P9387) in
200 mL of distilled water. Store at room temperature.
Concentrated Carrez II solution. Dissolve 60 g of zinc sulphate
{ZnSO4.7H2O} (Sigma cat. no. Z4750) in 200 mL of distilled water.
Store at room temperature.
b. Procedure:
Heat 1 mL of whole blood sample at approx. 80°C for 20 min in a
microfuge tube then centrifuge at 13,000 x g for 10 min and recover
the supernatant. Add 20 µL Carrez Reagent II and mix thoroughly,
then add 20 µL Carrez Reagent I and mix thoroughly. Centrifuge
the sample again at 13,000 x g for 10 min and recover the clarified
supernatant for use in the assay. If required, dilute the sample
appropriately in distilled water for the assay.
Note: The final volume of the clarified supernatant will be
approximately one quarter of the starting volume of the original
sample. Therefore adjust the volume of the starting material as
required to obtain sufficient volume of clarified sample for the test.
(l) Determination of L-lactic acid in biological tissue samples.
Accurately weigh approx. 5 g of representative biological tissue
into a 100 mL Duran® bottle. Add 20 mL of 1 M perchloric acid
and homogenise for 2 min using an Ultra-turrax® or Polytron®
homogeniser (or equivalent). Quantitatively transfer to a 40 mL
glass beaker and adjust the pH to approx. 8.0 using 2 M KOH.
Quantitatively transfer to a 100 mL volumetric flask and adjust to the
mark with distilled water (ensuring the fat containing layer is “above”
the mark, and the aqueous layer is “at” the mark). Store on ice for
20 min to precipitate potassium perchlorate and allow separation of

13
the fat (if present). Centrifuge an appropriate volume of the sample
at 13,000 x g for 10 min and recover the clarified supernatant for use
in the assay, alternatively filter through Whatman No. 1 filter paper,
discarding the first 3-5 mL, and use the clear filtrate for the assay.
If required, dilute the sample appropriately in distilled water for the
assay.
Note: The amount of starting material and volumes used can be
adjusted accordingly depending on the amount of analyte present in
the sample.
(m) Determination of L-lactic acid in biological fluid samples
(e.g. urine and serum).
For some biological fluid samples it may be sufficient to test
them directly without any sample preparation other than
appropriate dilution in distilled water. If this is not adequate then
deproteinisation with either perchloric acid or trichloracetic acid may
be required.
Deproteinise biological samples by adding an equal volume of ice-cold
1 M perchloric acid with mixing. Centrifuge an appropriate volume
of the sample at 1,500 x g for 10 min and recover the supernatant
for use in the assay, alternatively filter through Whatman No. 1 filter
paper, discarding the first 3-5 mL, and use the filtrate for the assay.
If required, dilute the sample appropriately in distilled water for the
assay. Alternatively, use 50% (w/v) trichloroacetic acid instead of
perchloric acid.

REFERENCE:
Noll, F. (1988). L-(+)-Lactate. “Methods of Enzymatic Analysis”
(Bergmeyer, H. U., ed.), 3rd ed., Vol.VI, pp. 582-588, VCH Publishers
(UK) Ltd., Cambridge, UK.

14
 Bray Business Park, Bray,
Co. Wicklow,
A98 YV29,
IRELAND.
Telephone: (353.1) 286 1220
Facsimile: (353.1) 286 1264
Internet: www.megazyme.com
E-Mail: info@megazyme.com

WITHOUT GUARANTEE
The information contained in this booklet is, to the best of our knowledge, true and accurate, but
since the conditions of use are beyond our control, no warranty is given or is implied in respect of
any recommendation or suggestions which may be made or that any use will not infringe any patents.

15