04/09/2026
Biuret Reaction: Measuring Serum Proteins
The Biuret reaction is a classic laboratory method for measuring serum protein concentration. In an alkaline environment, copper (II) ions form a red‑purple complex with the nitrogen atoms of peptide bonds. The deeper the purple color, the higher the protein concentration — because the intensity is directly proportional to the number of peptide bonds present.
However, certain conditions can interfere with accuracy:
• Lipaemic serum (milky appearance)
• Hemolysis (ruptured red cells)
• Hyperbilirubinemia (excess bilirubin)
• Hyperammonemia (ammonia competing with copper ions)
When these occur, alternative methods such as turbidimetric reactions or dye binding assays (e.g., Coomassie blue, pyrogallol red‑molybdate) are used.