Kinetic ethylene glycol assay with use of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase.

We describe a rapid, accurate, and precise two-point kinetic assay for ethylene glycol. The method involves use of a standard kit for ethanol determination with yeast alcohol dehydrogenase, and of a centrifugal analyzer. Alcohol dehydrogenase catalyzes the oxidation of ethylene glycol in a trichloroacetic acid-precipitated specimen; the resulting NADH production is monitored at 340 nm. The reaction rate is linear with concentration to 1.5 g of ethylene glycol per liter. Interference from methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol was easily recognized after a 30-min incubation at 100 degrees C. We believe that the method can be readily adaptable to any narrow-bandwidth, stable, temperature-controlled spectrophotometer and so should provide more widely for the prompt assessment of patients in whom ethylene glycol poisoning is suspected.