Estimation of glutathione with chloramine-T and dichloramine-T

A simple but accurate method for the estimation of glutathione in aqueous solution has been developed, based on its oxidation with chloramine-T and dichloramine-T at room temperature. The direct titration with a visual or potentiometric end-point involves a one-electron change, corresponding to the oxidation of the thiol group to disulphide. Most amino-acids do not interfere, but cysteine, methionine and thiourea are oxidized under these conditions. A back-titration procedure in which glutathione is oxidized by excess of chloramine-T with a 10-electron change at pH 5 has also been developed.