Electrochemical,chemical and spectrophotometric investigation of the copper(II)-bicinchoninic acid reagent used for protein measurements

The use of a reagent containing copper (II), bicinchoninic acid (BCA) and tartrate buffered at pH 11.25 was studied voltammetrically, coulometrically, spectrophotometrically and chemically. The reagent exhibits three cathodic waves at rotating platinum disk and rotating glassy carbon electrodes. The two more-positive cathodic waves correspond to electrochemical reduction to copper (I)-bisbicinchoninate, Cu(BCA)₂^3?. The third cathodic wave is caused by reduction to metallic copper. A reaction mechanism is proposed that shows the major chemical species in the solution and the electrochemical reaction products. Voltammetric and chemical studies indicate that the reagent should be used with care for protein assays because it is subject to multiple chemical interferences.