Determination of albumin with bromocresol purple using controlled-dispersion flow analysis

Abstract

A method is described for the determination of albumin in human blood plasma using bromocresol purple. The method has been adapted for use with an experimental controlled-dispersion analyser. The technique makes use of non-segmented streams of water to transport slugs of sample and reagent to a T-junction where they mix before passing to a flow-through photometer. Each analytical cycle consumes 2.4 µl of sample, 16.6 µl of reagent and less than 2 ml of water. To achieve high sample throughputs (180 samples per hour) the succeeding sample was introduced into the system before its predecessor was completely washed out. At fast flow-rates readings taken on the trailing edge of the peak were found to be more reproducible than readings taken at the peak maxima. The precision of the method is good and the results compare well with those obtained with an established procedure.