Improved method for the detection of protein

摘要

The determination of human serum albumin (HSA) in urine is carried out by contacting the urine with a reagent system containing a buffer and a protein error indicator. Other proteins normally found in urine can compete with the HSA for interaction with the protein error indicator thereby affecting the sensitivity of the test for HSA. The present invention involves the addition of certain polymeric competitive inhibitors to the reagent system which inhibit the interaction of the urinary proteins other than HSA with the protein error indicator to a greater extent than the interaction with HSA is inhibited thereby increasing the reagent's sensitivity for HSA. Suitable polymeric inhibitors include poly(vinyl alkyl esters), poly(alkyl acrylates), poly(vinyl alkyl carbonates) and poly(vinyl alkyl ketones).