Elimination of the "chromogen oxidase" activity of bilirubin oxidase added to obviate bilirubin interference in hydrogen peroxide/peroxidase detecting systems.

The use of bilirubin oxidase to remove interference by bilirubin in hydrogen peroxide/peroxidase detecting systems is hampered by its inherent "chromogen oxidase" activity (its ability to oxidize the chromogens used in the systems). This unwanted activity is greater than 99% inhibited by 0.5 mmol/L cyanide, 97% inhibited by 20 mmol/L azide. At these same concentrations, they inhibit bilirubin oxidase activity by 95% and 73%, respectively. Sequential addition of reagents allows the use of bilirubin oxidase without interference by the chromogen oxidase activity.