Simple kinetic method for assessing catalase activity in biological samples

A novel kinetic method for measuring catalase activity in biological samples was evaluated. The principle of the current method is based on the oxidation effect of unreacted hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) on pyrogallol red (PGR) using the catalytic effects of molybdenum. The decrease in the absorbance of PGR in the presence of H(2)O(2) with time from 0.5 to 4.5 min was directly proportional to the concentration of H(2)O(2), and, in turn, directly proportional to catalase activity. Erythrocyte lysate homogenates were used to measure catalase activity and the results of the current method were significantly correlated to those of the ammonium peroxovanadate method. The 3.1% within run and 4.7% between run coefficients of variation indicated the high precision of the present novel method. The validation process confirmed that the diagnostic method is appropriate for different types of biological samples. Here, we describe a rapid, relatively easy, and reliable method for measuring catalase activity. The assay could be applied as a diagnostic tool and is suitable in research contexts. • A novel kinetic method for measuring catalase activity in biological samples was evaluated. • The validation process confirmed that the diagnostic method is appropriate for different types of biological samples. • The assay could be applied as a diagnostic tool and is suitable in research contexts.