Pantothenase-based assay of pantothenic acid.

Pantothenic acid from various sources can be measured in concentrations from about 10 microM to 20 mM by using a specific enzyme, pantothenase. The method is based on the transfer of [14C]beta-alanine to the pantothenate via an acyl-enzyme intermediate (a beta-alanine-exchange reaction): (formula; see text) Although the reaction is inhibited by some compounds, the method can be used for the assay of pantothenate in many biological samples if an internal pantothenate standard is used.