Assessment of colorimetric enzymatic determination of triglyceride, by manual and centrifugal analyzer techniques,...

We describe the assessment of an enzymatic method, with colorimetric detection, for the determination of triglyceride. Two commercial single vial reagent sets were evaluated, by manual and centrifugal analyzer techniques, and compared to a method which had attained standardized status from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Precision and accuracy obtained on analysis of CDC reference materials, and precision obtained on analysis of plasma samples, did not fulfill the criteria of CDC. The precision met the criteria of the College of American Pathologists based upon intra-individual variation. Good correlation between the reagent set method and a continuous-flow method with prior extraction was evident but proportional and constant biases were found. The method would be suitable for routine use particularly if a centrifugal analyzer was employed. If a manual method was used it is recommended that blanks be performed on samples. The method had acceptable linearity. Use of a constant relationship between concentration and absorbance did not lead to improved performance characteristics.