Plasma salicylate analysis: a comparison of colorimetric, HPLC and enzymatic techniques

Three colorimetric techniques and one enzymatic technique have been compared with an HPLC method for the analysis of salicylate in the plasma of patients after self-poisoning with aspirin. The enzymatic technique was specific but expensive to perform. The colorimetric techniques were simple, cheap and precise. The Keller method, however, was susceptible to interference from endogenous substances. We report a modification of the Keller method that eliminates most of this interference and improves the accuracy of the analysis. The new method is easier and safer to perform under emergency conditions than the Trinder technique.