Triglycerides (TAG) are a type of lipid in the blood, serving as an energy source and playing a key role in metabolism. Triglycerides are the digestive end product of breaking down dietary fats. Any extra carbohydrates and fats that are not immediately used are chemically converted into triglycerides. In the intestines, secreted enzyme lipases hydrolyze the triglyceride ester bond, yielding glycerol and free fatty acids (FFA) in a process called lipolysis. Additionally, hormones induce and regulate lipase activity in adipose tissue, resulting in changes to blood FFA levels. Free fatty acids then bind plasma albumin for circulation in the body, serving as a readily absorbed energy source for muscle, brain and other organ tissues. Measurement of free fatty acids has become useful in monitoring and diagnosis of several diseases and metabolic disorders (e.g. obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, cancer). Our Free Fatty Acid Assay Kit measures non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in serum and plasma by a coupled enzymatic reaction system (ACS-ACOD Method). First, Acyl CoA Synthetase (ACS) catalyzes fatty acid acylation of coenzyme A. Next, the acyl-CoA product is oxidized by Acyl CoA Oxidase (ACOD), producing hydrogen peroxide which reacts with the kit’s Colorimetric Probe (absorbance maxima of 570 nm). The Free Fatty Acid Assay Kit is a simple, colorimetric assay that quantitatively measures the free fatty acid concentration (non-esterified) in various samples using a 96-well microtiter plate format. Each kit provides sufficient reagents to perform up to 100 assays, including blanks, standards and unknown samples. The kit contains a palmitic acid standard and has a detection sensitivity limit of ~15 µM.
Note: This kit is not suitable for urine or heparin-containing samples. Fatty acids (C8 and longer) can be quantified with this kit.