Stability of whole blood and plasma ascorbic acid.
Author(s): Karlsen A, Blomhoff R, Gundersen TE
Publication: Eur J Clin Nutr, 2007, Vol. 61, Page 1233-6
PubMed ID: 17299479 PubMed Review Paper? No
Suggested by: ISBER
Purpose of Paper
The purpose of this paper was to determine the effects of anticoagulant, acidification, storage time and temperature on ascorbic acid (AA) levels in whole blood, serum and plasma.
Conclusion of Paper
The highest baseline AA values were observed in heparin or EDTA specimens. AA levels declined with time at room temperature regardless of the anticoagulant used, but the decline was minimal with heparin. Acidification of heparin plasma specimens significantly increased stability at all temperatures, but some AA degradation was still observed. The authors recommend the use of acidified heparin plasma specimens and storage at -70 degrees C for less than 80 days.
Studies
-
Study Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of anticoagulant and time at room temperature on AA concentrations in whole blood, plasma and serum specimens.
Summary of Findings:
The highest AA concentrations were observed in heparin or EDTA plasma and serum. The use of citrate or Stabilyte resulted in decreases in plasma AA concentrations by 7.8% and 22.7% respectively. In whole blood stored at room temperature, degradation of AA was observed regardless of anticoagulant, but when heparin or citrate were used only a 5% loss was observed in the first 6 h.
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- None (Fresh)
Diagnoses:
- Normal
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform Small molecule HPLC Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Biospecimen Acquisition Anticoagulant Citrate
EDTA
Heparin
None
Stabilyte
Storage Time at room temperature 0 min
30 min
60 min
90 min
120 min
150 min
180 min
210 min
240 min
300 min
360 min
Biospecimen Aliquots and Components Blood and blood products Plasma
Serum
Whole blood
-
Study Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of acidification and storage on AA levels in heparin plasma specimens.
Summary of Findings:
In heparin plasma specimens, 80% of AA was lost after 24 h of storage at room temperature, but only 30% was lost after 24 h of storage at 4 degrees C. Acidification with meta-phosphoric acid reduced AA degradation from 100% to 30% when plasma was stored at room temperature for 72 h and from 60% to 10% when plasma was stored at 4 degrees C for 72 h. For acidified plasma stored at -70 degrees C, no AA degradation was observed until 80 days, however, in non-acidified plasma stored at -70 degrees C or acidified plasma stored at -20 degrees C, AA degradation was observed after just 20 days of storage. The authors recommend the use of acidified heparin plasma specimens and storage at -70 degrees C for less than 80 days.
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- None (Fresh)
Diagnoses:
- Normal
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform Small molecule HPLC Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Biospecimen Aliquots and Components pH Low pH
Neutral
Storage Storage temperature Room temperature
4 degrees C
-20 degrees C
-70 degrees C
Storage Storage duration 0 h
1 h
2 h
3 h
4 h
6 h
24 h
48 h
72 h
20 days
80 days
1 year
2 years