The Burton Assay for DNA

The Burton assay for DNA is a colorimetric procedure for measuring the deoxyribose moiety of DNA. It is reasonably specific for deoxyribose, although very high concentrations of ribose (from RNA) or sucrose must be avoided. The method can be used on relatively crude extracts and in other circumstances where direct measurement of ultraviolet absorbance of denatured DNA is not practical. The assay has been widely used.