A continuous flow method for the estimation of serum alpha-amylase activity.

An automated assay for serum amylase is described. Using the AutoAnalyzer II the method employs, as substrate, a solution of dyed amylopectin which is commercially available (DyAmyl-L). After incubation of serum and substrate at 55 degrees C, 1.0 mol/lKOH is introduced and the coloured products of enzymic hydrolysis are separated by dialysis against phosphate buffer. Absorbance is measured at 540 nm and the enzymic activity read from a standard curve obtained using calibration sera Versatol E and EN. The system provides accurate and reproducible measurement of serum amylase. The results obtained from assaying 100 'normal' sera are compared with those using another method of alpha-amylase estimation.