A new method of carboxyhaemoglobin determination

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) is a toxic byproduct of incomplete combustion.
• Accurate COHb measurement is crucial for diagnosing and managing carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Existing methods may lack speed or precision.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rapid and accurate method for determining blood COHb concentration.
• To validate the use of derivative spectrophotometry for COHb analysis.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a dual wavelength, double beam spectrophotometer operating in the 1st derivative mode.
• Employed a digital voltmeter (DVM) for data acquisition.
• Set spectrophotometer beams 3 nm apart around the 579 nm isobestic point of reduced haemoglobin (Hbred) and COHb.

Main Results:

• The developed method provides a quick and accurate determination of COHb concentration.
• The slope measured in the 1st derivative mode is directly proportional to COHb concentration.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of using derivative spectrophotometry for quantitative COHb analysis.

Conclusions:

• A novel, rapid, and accurate spectrophotometric method for blood COHb determination has been established.
• This technique offers a valuable tool for clinical diagnostics and toxicology.
• Derivative spectrophotometry presents a promising approach for analyzing blood gas concentrations.