Nitrite Assay Kit (Griess Reagent)

Nitrogen-based ions, nitrite and nitrate, are found in almost every living organism. Furthermore, endogenous Nitrite levels are found in mammals and also can be obtained from dietary sources. In humans, nitrite is further metabolized to Nitric Oxide and other reactive nitrogen species (nitrogen oxides). The Nitrate-Nitrite-NO biochemical pathway is well known for its participation in cell signaling, hypoxia-dependent response and regulation of blood flow. Recent studies suggest the reduction of Nitrite to Nitrogen Oxygen in the mitochondria. Specifically, myoglobin and xanthine oxidoreductase could generate NO under hypoxic conditions leading to mitochondrial respiration. BioVision’s Nitrite Assay Kit utilizes the Griess Reagent, a classic protocol for the estimation of nitrite. In the assay, nitrite is reduced to Nitrogen Oxide using Griess Reagent I. Then, Nitrogen Oxide reacts with Griess Reagent II forming a stable product that can be detected by its absorbance at OD 540 nm. The one-step assay is simple, fast and can detect nitrite levels as low as 1 nmol/well.