A new and improved assay for the determination of the enzyme lysozyme in biological samples which utilizes a plate assay based upon the bacterium Micrococcus lysodiekticus is described. The assay utilizes a novel composition for the assay medium which results in a reduction in assay incubation time to the point that the assay is complete after one- half hour. This reduction in time is achieved in part by the utilization of organic buffers in the assay medium and in part by the reduction of the ionic strength of the assay medium. by the use of this assay a novel technique for determining the integrity of the amniochorial membrane and maturity of fetal lungs are described.
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