Isocitric Acid Content Assay Kit, 50T/48S

Isocitric acid, also known as isocitrate, is a key intermediate in the citric acid cycle (TCA cycle)—a central metabolic pathway that occurs in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells and plays a critical role in energy production, carbon metabolism, and the generation of reducing equivalents (e.g., NADPH). Its biological significance extends across multiple fields, making the accurate quantification of isocitric acid essential for scientific research.

Metabolic Pathway Role: Isocitric acid is formed through the isomerization of citrate, a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme aconitase. Subsequently, it is oxidized by isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) to produce α-ketoglutarate, a reaction that generates NADPH. This NADPH is not only used in energy metabolism but also supports antioxidant defense (e.g., maintaining reduced glutathione levels) and biosynthesis processes (e.g., fatty acid and nucleotide synthesis).
Natural Occurrence: Isocitric acid is widely present in plants, particularly in fruits and vegetables such as citrus fruits, apples, tomatoes, and spinach. It is also a component of processed plant-based products, including fruit juices, vegetable purees, and some fermented foods. In these contexts, isocitric acid serves as a natural acidulant and flavor enhancer, and its concentration is often used as a marker to assess the quality and purity of food and beverage products (e.g., detecting adulteration in fruit juices).
Research Applications: The need to measure isocitric acid arises in diverse research areas. In metabolic research, it helps study the regulation of the TCA cycle under different physiological or pathological conditions (e.g., diabetes, obesity, or mitochondrial disorders). In food science, it enables the evaluation of raw material quality and the stability of processed products during storage. In biomedical research, it supports investigations into cellular redox status, as NADPH production from isocitric acid oxidation is linked to cellular antioxidant capacity.
Assay Relevance: Traditional methods for isocitric acid quantification (e.g., high-performance liquid chromatography, HPLC) often require complex sample preparation, expensive equipment, and long analysis times. The Isocitric Acid Content Assay Kit addresses these limitations by leveraging UV spectrophotometry—a reliable, cost-effective, and user-friendly technique—to enable rapid and accurate detection. This kit is specifically designed to meet the needs of researchers working in metabolic biology, food science, and biomedical research, providing a standardized workflow for consistent results across experiments.