How to calculate enzyme activity using the Beer-Lambert Law?
How to calculate enzyme activity using the Beer-Lambert Law?
Answered
Enzyme activity can be quantified using the Beer-Lambert Law by monitoring changes in absorbance that occur as the enzyme catalyzes a reaction. First, select a wavelength at which the product or substrate of the enzymatic reaction absorbs light. Measure the absorbance of the solution over time to observe how it changes as the reaction progresses. The rate of change in absorbance (ΔA/Δt) corresponds to the rate of the enzymatic reaction. Using the Beer-Lambert Law, the change in absorbance can be related to the concentration of the product formed or substrate consumed. The enzyme activity is typically reported as the rate of change in concentration per unit time, often expressed as μmol/min or similar units, and is calculated by combining the observed change in absorbance with the known molar absorptivity (ε) and the path length (l) of the sample.
BNO Team