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Storage of specimens in "Microtainer Amber Tubes" protects bilirubin from degradation by light.

Author(s): Desjardins PR, Mactavish G, Schoemperlen J

Publication: Clin Chem, 1987, Vol. 33, Page 712

PubMed ID: 3568362 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of initial bilirubin concentration, assay type, and storage container and duration on the degradation of bilirubin in serum. One serum pool was prepared for each bilirubin concentration.

   Summary of Findings:

   Bilirubin concentrations remained constant in serum stored in Microtainer amber tubes, regardless of assay. In contrast, in serum with a low initial concentration, bilirubin levels declined with storage in translucent Microtainer tubes when assayed by the Diazo method, but remained unaffected by storage when assayed by the spectrophotometric method. However, when initial bilirubin levels were high, a decline with storage in translucent Microtainer tubes was observed with the spectrophotometric method and not the Diazo method.

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Serum

   Preservative Types

   • None (Fresh)

   Diagnoses:

   • Not specified

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Small molecule	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Storage	Type of storage container	BD translucent Microtainer tube BD Microtainer amber tubes
   Storage	Time at room temperature	0 h 1 h 2 h 3 h 4 h 5 h 6 h 27 h
   Storage	Storage conditions	Well lit room
   Preaquisition	Biomarker level	20-30 umol/L bilirubin 230-260 umol/L bilirubin
   Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer Specific	Detection method	Diazo method Spectrophotometric method

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