Jump to content
Science Forums

Recommended Posts

Posted

Looking for some seriously bio-leaning experimentalists around here...

I'm thinking about the Kjeldahl method and the conversion factor from "total-N" to protein... The oxidizing and "acid-baking" of a protein sample will turn proetein bound nitrogen to ammonium, which is later quantified and used to determine the total amount of protein, using an appropriate convversion factor.

My question is, what nitrogen atoms are those exactly which are reduced? Obviously all the amido-Ns are reduced, as well as the Ns of side-groups on the basic AAs. But what about N atoms in the aromatic rings, or a mid-chain N? I'm thinking of the aromatic Ns of tryptophan and histidine, and the mid-chain N in arginine... Would these be reduced, too?

Thanks for any help you might be able to offer!

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...