Effects of pH, concentration and aging on the malonaldehyde reaction with proteins

Malonaldehyde, a major product of unsaturated lipid oxidation, reacts with enzymes to cause inactivation, fluorescence production and crosslinking. The pH dependence for each of these reactions shows a different optimum. Investigation of the stability of malonaldehyde shows that it undergoes decomposition which is dependent on time, reagent concentration and pH. The products resulting from this decomposition are also capable of causing enzyme inactivation and fluorescence production.