Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026

Staphylococcus aureus Growth using Human Hemoglobin as an Iron Source
Published on: February 7, 2013
Selective precipitation of human hemoglobin by organic solvents and metal cations
F Frantzen1, K Grimsrud, D E Heggli
1Axis Nord AS, Mørkved, Norway.
Abstract:
The interaction of human hemoglobin with several organic solvents and metal cation has been studied in order to obtain selective precipitation of hemoglobin from solution. Alcohols, and preferably the mixture ethanol: butanol added to a final concentration of 8% (v/v) 1-butanol was found to be superior in this respect, giving close to selective precipitation of hemoglobin from whole blood lysates. An equally specific precipitation was achieved by using zinc-chloride in 10-15 molar excess to hemoglobin. Contrary to organic solvents, complex formation with Zn2+ resulted in a reversible precipitation enabling renaturation using strong chelating agents. Specificity of the hemoglobin-precipitating agents was verified by chromatographic and electrophoretic studies. Applications of the presented methods in analytical chemistry and in the isolation and purification of blood proteins are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Precipitation of Ions
The equation that describes the equilibrium between solid calcium carbonate and its solvated ions is:
Qualitative Analysis
For instance, group IV...
Precipitation and Co-precipitation
Extraction: Advanced Methods
Gravimetry: Inorganic And Organic Precipitating Agents
Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Hemoperfusion and Hemofiltration

