Copper (Cu⁺⁺) is an essential metal ion in biological systems.   Many enzymes such as amine oxidase and galactose oxidase require copper for their biological functions.  Low levels of copper are associated with disorders including mental retardation, depigmentation, anaemia, hypotonia and scorbutic changes in bone.  Levels of copper are key diagnostic indicator of diseases such as Wilson's disease, microcytic hypochromic anaemia and bone disease. 

MicroMolar Copper Assay Kit  (Catalog number: MCA1000)

The MicroMolar Copper Assay Kit is for measurement of micromolar concentrations of copper (0.01 mM – 0.1 mM).  The assay is based on the principle that binding the fluorescence dye MCA selectively with copper results in decrease of the fluorescence intensity (emission 535 nm, excitation 485 nm).  The assay is compatible with regular buffers with different metal ions including 1 mM Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺,  and Al³⁺, 0.1 mM Co²⁺ and  Ni²⁺.  Chelators such EDTA and thiol compounds bind strongly some of the metal ions and should be avoided in the assay.

The assay kit can be used for high-throughput measurements of copper concentrations in biological samples or environmental water samples.  The kit can also be used for biochemical assays of enzyme assays associated with copper metabolism.