| Field | Specification |
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| Assay Time | |
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| Product Type | |
| Sample Type(s) | Serum, plasma, urine, saliva, cell culture etc |
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Overview
For quantitative determination of ammonia/ammonium and evaluation of drug effects on their metabolism. The assay uses OD340nm, or FL360/450nm for signal readout. Compatible sample input includes Serum, plasma, urine, saliva, cell culture etc. Typical stated assay timing is 30 min.
Key elements and design rationale
- Readout format: OD340nm, or FL360/450nm supports plate-based signal acquisition and consistent comparison across matched samples.
- Sample compatibility: The stated sample scope includes Serum, plasma, urine, saliva, cell culture etc, which is useful when aligning matrix type with calibration and control design.
- Analytical range context: The supplied specifications include a stated detection limit of 24 µM for interpreting low-signal samples.
- Feature emphasis: High sensitivity and wide linear range. Use a 20 µL sample. Linear detection range from 24 to 1000 µM ammonia.
Additional feature notes highlight Homogeneous and simple procedure. A simple “mix-and-measure” procedure allows reliable quantitation of ammonia within 30 minutes. Available format information for this listing includes 100 Tests.
Biological background
This product is centered on measurement of ammonia within the matrices described for the assay. In practice, datasets from this type of format are typically interpreted by comparing relative signal, activity, or abundance across matched control and experimental groups rather than relying on a single value in isolation. Careful alignment of sample matrix, incubation window, and calibration strategy is important when comparing results across plates, operators, or study days.
More details
Ammonia (NH3) or its ion form ammonium (NH4+) is an important source of nitrogen for living systems. It is synthesized through amino acid metabolism and is toxic when present at high concentrations. In the liver, ammonia is converted to urea through the urea cycle. Elevated levels of ammonia in the blood (hyperammonemia) have been found in liver dysfunction (cirrhosis), while hypoammonemia has been associated with defects in the urea cycle enzymes (e.g. ornithine transcarbamylase). Simple, direct, and automation-ready procedures for measuring NH3are popular in research and drug discovery. BioAssay Systems ammonia assay is designed to directly measure NH3and NH4+. In this assay, NADH is converted to NAD+in the presence of NH3, ketoglutarate, and glutamate dehydrogenase. The decrease in optical density at 340 nm or fluorescence intensity at λex/em = 360/450 nm is directly proportionate to the NH3concentration in the sample.
Detection method
Colorimetric (OD 340 nm) or Fluorescent (FL 360/450 nm).
Detection limit and analytical sensitivity
Reported detection limit: 24 µM.
Procedures and timing
Stated procedure or timing information: 30 min.
Research relevance and current trends
- Plate-based quantification and side-by-side group comparison remain central use cases for this assay format.
- The description supports intervention-focused study designs in which researchers compare baseline and perturbed conditions.
- Short assay timing and plate compatibility support time-course or repeated-measure collection plans when handling is kept consistent.
Common research applications
- Quantify ammonia in serum, plasma, urine, saliva, cell culture by OD340 nm, or FL360/450 nm readout.
- Compare treatment or phenotype groups using matched serum, plasma, urine, saliva, cell culture handling.
- Monitor time-course or pre/post changes in serum, plasma, urine, saliva, cell culture across study conditions.
Interpretation is usually strongest when signal changes are assessed alongside matrix-matched controls, replicate agreement, and the assay's stated analytical window.
Notes for experimental interpretation
- Matrix composition, background signal, and sample handling can influence apparent response; compare like-with-like whenever possible.
- Use appropriate blanks, controls, and replicate wells to distinguish biological differences from plate, reagent, or handling variability.
Does glutamate in the sample interfere with the assay?
High glutamate concentrations (> 2 mM) will interfere with the assay. For example, a typical concentration of glutamate in cell culture medium is ~ 0.15 mM.
For laboratories requiring additional technical capacity, we provide scientific support services including assay execution, method guidance, product sourcing, and customization to align the assay with specific experimental objectives. If you need assistance selecting the appropriate kit configuration, adapting the workflow to your application, or identifying related research services, please click Talk to a Scientist, email support@biohippo.com, or review our Research Services; a member of our scientific team will follow up with recommendations tailored to your study.
Effects of divergent selection for residual feed intake on nitrogen metabolism and lysine utilization in growing pigs
Hewitt, D. J., et al. (2020). Effects of divergent selection for residual feed intake on nitrogen metabolism and lysine utilization in growing pigs. Journal of Animal Science. 98(5). Assay: Ammonia/Ammonium in pig urine.
Modeling the bidirectional glutamine/ammonium conversion between cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts
Hinow, P., et al. (2021). Modeling the bidirectional glutamine/ammonium conversion between cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts. PeerJ, 9: e10648. Assay: Ammonia/Ammonium in human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231.
Cellular immunity in the insect Galleria mellonella against insect non-parasitic nematodes
Ono, M., & Yoshiga, T. (2019). Cellular immunity in the insect Galleria mellonella against insect non-parasitic nematodes. Parasitology, 146(6), 708-715. Assay: Ammonia/Ammonium in Galleria mellonella greater wax moth.
Let-7 suppresses B cell activation through restricting the availability of necessary nutrients
Jiang, S., Yan, W., Wang, S. E., & Baltimore, D. (2018). Let-7 suppresses B cell activation through restricting the availability of necessary nutrients. Cell metabolism, 27(2), 393-403. Assay: Ammonia/Ammonium in mouse B cells.
Model Comparison To Describe BHK-21 Cell Growth And Metabolism In Stirred Tank Bioreactors Operated In Batch Mode
Sartori, R., Leme, J., Caricati, C. P., Tonso, A., & Nunez, E. G. F. (2018). Model Comparison To Describe BHK-21 Cell Growth And Metabolism In Stirred Tank Bioreactors Operated In Batch Mode. Brazilian Journal Of Chemical Engineering, 35(2), 441-458. Assay: Ammonia/Ammonium in monkey bhk! Cell supernatant.
Effect of vacuolar ATPase subunit H (VmaH) on cellular pH, asexual cycle, stress tolerance and virulence in Beauveria bassiana
Zhu, J., Zhu, X. G., Ying, S. H., & Feng, M. G. (2017). Effect of vacuolar ATPase subunit H (VmaH) on cellular pH, asexual cycle, stress tolerance and virulence in Beauveria bassiana. Fungal genetics and biology, 98, 52-60. Assay: Ammonia/Ammonium in B. bassiana fungus.
CtBP maintains cancer cell growth and metabolic homeostasis via regulating SIRT4
Wang, L et al (2015). CtBP maintains cancer cell growth and metabolic homeostasis via regulating SIRT4. Cell Death and Disease 6: e1620. Assay: Ammonia/Ammonium in mice tumor tissue.
Influence of aeration-homogenization system in stirred tank bioreactors, dissolved oxygen concentration and pH control mode on BHK-21 cell growth and metabolism
Nunez EG et al (2014). Influence of aeration-homogenization system in stirred tank bioreactors, dissolved oxygen concentration and pH control mode on BHK-21 cell growth and metabolism. Cytotechnology 66(4): 605-617. Assay: Ammonia in hamster cells.
Advances in detection methods of L-amino acid oxidase activity
Yu Z et al (2014). Advances in detection methods of L-amino acid oxidase activity. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 174(1):13-27. Assay: Ammonia.
Development of Foreign Mammary Epithelial Morphology in the Stroma of Immunodeficient Mice
Rauner, G et al (2013). Development of Foreign Mammary Epithelial Morphology in the Stroma of Immunodeficient Mice. PloS one 8.6: e68637. Assay: Ammonia in mouse cell culture medium.
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