AAT Bioquest offers a comprehensive portfolio of colorimetric assay kits optimized for microplate reader detection, enabling researchers to quantify metabolites, enzyme activities, and cellular processes using absorbance-based measurements. The Amplite® platform provides exceptional sensitivity and convenience with ready-to-use reagents, while specialized kits address applications ranging from metabolic profiling and oxidative stress assessment to cell viability screening. These assays deliver reliable, reproducible results compatible with standard spectrophotometers and high-throughput workflows.

Tetrazolium-based colorimetric assays measure cell viability by detecting metabolic activity via mitochondrial dehydrogenases that reduce tetrazolium salts to colored formazan products. WST-8 (CCK-8) and MTS assays produce water-soluble formazans for direct reading without solubilization, while MTT requires DMSO dissolution of the purple formazan crystals. LDH release assays provide an orthogonal measure of cytotoxicity by detecting membrane damage. For comprehensive cell health solutions, see our Cell Viability and Proliferation catalog.

Amplite® protein quantitation kits use BCA, Bradford, or other colorimetric methods for accurate measurement of total protein concentration in samples. These assays are essential for normalizing enzyme activity, loading equal amounts on gels, and quality control of protein preparations. Additional assays quantify specific functional groups like thiols and biotin for bioconjugate characterization. For detailed information about protein analysis solutions, see our Protein Quantification catalog.

Amplite® enzyme activity kits measure cholinesterases, transaminases, and other clinically relevant enzyme activities using colorimetric substrates for absorbance-based detection. These assays are optimized for serum, plasma, and tissue samples with detection formats suitable for both clinical and research applications. Liver function enzymes (ALT, AST) and cholinesterases (AChE, BChE) are particularly relevant for toxicology and drug metabolism studies. For more information, see our Enzyme Activity Assays & Substrates catalog.

Amplite® cell metabolism kits quantify glucose, lactate, pyruvate, and related glycolytic intermediates using enzyme-coupled colorimetric detection. These assays provide robust measurements of key metabolites in serum, plasma, cell culture supernatants, and cell lysates for metabolic research. The kits feature excellent sensitivity and specificity with minimal interference from common biological matrices.

Lipid metabolite assays quantify cholesterol, triglycerides, glycerol, and ketone bodies for cardiovascular research and metabolic profiling using enzyme-coupled colorimetric detection. These kits provide accurate measurements in serum, plasma, and tissue samples with optimized protocols for minimal matrix interference. Applications include cardiovascular disease research, obesity studies, and diabetes monitoring.

NAD⁺/NADH and NADP⁺/NADPH are essential redox coenzymes that provide critical insights into cellular metabolic state and redox balance. Amplite® colorimetric kits measure individual coenzymes, total pools, or ratios using enzyme-coupled reactions that generate absorbance signals. Enhanced sensitivity versions are available for low-abundance samples. For more information about NAD(P) and NAD(P)H detection, see our NAD/NADH and NADP/NADPH Assays catalog.

Oxidative stress assays measure hydrogen peroxide, superoxide dismutase activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity using colorimetric detection. These kits enable assessment of oxidative damage and antioxidant status in biological samples, cell lysates, and tissue homogenates. Applications include aging research, disease mechanism studies, and antioxidant screening. For complete oxidative stress solutions, see our Reactive Oxygen Signaling Species (ROS) catalog.