A Simple and Colorimetric Anthrone-Sulfuric Acid Method in Microplate to Quantify Soluble Sugars in Plant Tissue

The anthrone method is a colorimetric assay used to quantify soluble sugars in plant tissues. It involves the reaction between anthrone, a compound called 9,10-dihydro-9-oxoanthracene, and the furfural conformation of carbohydrates. The plant tissue is treated with concentrated sulfuric acid, which causes the formation of a colored hemiacetal product. The intensity of the color is then measured spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 630 nm. This method provides a simple and reliable way to determine the concentration of soluble sugars in plant samples.