Ethylene glycol-stabilized haemolysates as control material in haemoglobinometry

Area of Science:

• Clinical Chemistry
• Hematology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Accurate hemoglobin measurement is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring various medical conditions.
• Maintaining the stability of reference materials for hemoglobin assays is essential for quality control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term stability of human blood haemolysates preserved with ethylene glycol.
• To assess the suitability of this stabilized haemolysate as a control material for hemoglobinometry.

Main Methods:

• Human blood haemolysates were prepared with 0.35 volume fraction of ethylene glycol.
• Samples were stored at -20°C, 2-4°C, and room temperature.
• Total hemoglobin concentration was measured using the reference HiCN method.
• Spectral analysis was performed to detect any deterioration.

Main Results:

• Stable total hemoglobin concentration was observed for up to 372 days at -20°C.
• Spectral analysis indicated minimal deterioration and low methemoglobin (Hi) formation.
• Good stability was maintained for 15 days at 2-4°C, but only 1-2 days at room temperature.

Conclusions:

• Ethylene glycol-stabilized human haemolysates exhibit remarkable long-term stability at -20°C.
• This preparation serves as a viable material for the long-term accuracy control of hemoglobin measurements.
• The findings support the use of this stabilized haemolysate in quality assurance for hemoglobinometry.