Methanol Assay Kit

A plate based simple, and sensitive means of quantifying methanol in a variety of biological samples.  

Methanol, often recognized as wood alcohol due to its historical association with the distillation of wood, holds a significant but often overlooked role in metabolic processes. While commonly known for its toxicity in humans, primarily due to its conversion into formaldehyde and formic acid, methanol plays essential roles in various organisms, serving as a carbon and energy source, and participating in metabolic pathways crucial for life. Several microorganisms, particularly certain bacteria, yeasts, and even plants, have evolved mechanisms to utilize methanol as a carbon and energy source. This ability is facilitated by specific enzymes, notably methanol dehydrogenase, which catalyzes the initial oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde. In methylotrophic organisms, methanol serves as the primary carbon source. These organisms play vital ecological roles, contributing to the cycling of carbon. In soil ecosystems, methylotrophic bacteria are involved in the degradation of plant-derived methanol, thereby participating in nutrient recycling. Methanol metabolism is relevant in the context of human nutrition. While methanol is toxic, the metabolism of certain dietary components, such as pectin, release methanol as a byproduct. Fruits, particularly citrus, are a notable source of pectin-derived methanol. However, the amounts produced are generally low and the human body possesses mechanisms to detoxify methanol, so it typically does not pose a significant health risk. AkrivisBio’s Methanol Assay is a color-based assay utilizing the oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde and the specific detection of the oxidation of the formaldehyde, resulting in color development at 450 nm, proportional to the amount of formaldehyde and thus methanol present. The sensitivity of the assay allows for detection at below 0.5 nmoles.