Effects of storage and handling conditions on concentrations of individual carotenoids, retinol, and tocopherol in plasma.
Author(s): Craft NE, Brown ED, Smith JC Jr
Publication: Clin Chem, 1988, Vol. 34, Page 44-8
PubMed ID: 3338183 PubMed Review Paper? No
Suggested by: ISBER
Purpose of Paper
The purpose of this paper was to determine the effects of storage temperature, duration and conditions on concentrations of carotenoids, retinol and alpha-tocopherol in plasma.
Conclusion of Paper
No effects of storage at room temperature in the dark for up to 24 h, -70 degrees C for up to 28 months or -20 degrees C for up 5 months were found on concentrations of carotenoids, retinol or tocopherol in plasma specimens. However, storage at -20 degrees C for 15 months resulted in decreased concentrations of carotenoids. Nitrogen purging of specimens prior to storage at room temperature for 24 h was found to be unnecessary.
Studies
-
Study Purpose
The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of storage temperature, duration and conditions on the concentrations of lutein/zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, echinenone, lycopene, alpha-carotene, beta carotene, alpha-tocopherol, alpha-tocopherol acetate and retinol in plasma specimens. All specimens were stored at -70 degrees C for up to 3 months prior to analysis.
Summary of Findings:
No effects of storage at room temperature for up to 24 h in the dark, -70 degrees C for up to 28 months, or -20 degrees C for up 5 months were found on concentrations of carotenoids, retinol or tocopherol in plasma specimens. By 15 months, storage of plasma at -20 degrees C led to a significant reduction in lutein/zeaxanthin (-24%), lycopene (-51%), alpha carotene (-10%) and beta carotene (-26%), but retinol and tocopherol concentrations were unaffected. Further, in specimens stored for 15 months at -20 degrees C, unexpected broad peaks with retention times of 12-18 minutes appeared in the absorbance spectra. These broad peaks were not affected by the addition of antioxidants to the tube. Nitrogen purging of specimens prior to storage at room temperature was found to be unnecessary, but the authors note that there was small head space in the tubes and freeze-thaw cycling did not occur. Once extracted all analytes were stable in solvent for up to 18 h at room temperature prior to analysis.
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- Frozen
Diagnoses:
- Not specified
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform Small molecule HPLC Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Storage Storage temperature -70 degrees C
-20 degrees C
Room temperature
Storage Storage conditions In the dark
Storage Storage duration 0 h
4 h
12 h
24 h
7 days
28 days
51 days
90 days
150 days
210 days
390 days
450 days
850 days
5 months
15 months
Analyte Extraction and Purification Incubation duration/condition Storage in solvent for 0 h
Storage in solvent for 18h