Tokai University 1 article published in JoVE Biochemistry Small-Scale Colorimetric Assays of Intracellular Lactate and Pyruvate in the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans Sumino Yanase1,2, Kayo Yasuda3, Naoaki Ishii3 1Department of Health Science, School of Sports & Health Science, Daito Bunka University, 2Department of Molecular Life Science, School of Medicine, Tokai University, 3Department of Health Management, School of Health Study, Tokai University We describe a modified small-scale extraction and colorimetric assays of lactate and pyruvate in the nematode C. elegans. When utilizing commercial assay kits, the technical development of their sensitivity and accuracy is important. Protein precipitation in extraction is the most critical step for the quantitative determination of intracellular metabolites.