Enzymatic determination of bilirubin fractions in serum

Novel enzymatic methods using bilirubin oxidase from Myrothecium verrucaria are described for the determination of bilirubin fractions in serum. These fractions include an unconjugated form (Bu), a conjugated form (Bc), and a delta fraction of bilirubin that reacts with direct diazo reagent and is irreversibly bound to serum albumin (Bδ). The determination is based on the different reactivities of the enzyme to bilirubin fractions at different pH in the presence or absence of anionic detergent such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or sodium cholate. Thus, in the absence of detergents, Bc and Bδ are oxidized at acidic pH, while Bc is oxidized at alkaline pH; Bu is not oxidized at either acidic or alkaline pH.

The first approach is based on measuring the decreased absorbance of bilirubin colour at 450 nm caused by the enzymatic oxidation. Total bilirubin is measured at pH 8.0 in the presence of SDS. Direct bilirubin is measured at pH 3.7 and Bc is measured at pH 10.0 in the absence of SDS, respectively.

The second approach is made by coupling the diazo reaction with the enzyme reaction. Total and direct bilirubin are determined by a conventional diazo method without prior treatment by the enzyme. Bδ is determined with a direct diazo method after the serum sample is treated at pH 10.0 by the enzyme to oxidize the Bc fraction. The precision and the accuracy of these methods were compared with a precision and the accuracy of these methods were compared with a diazo method, an HPLC method and a slice method, and good results were obtained.