Rapid Technic for Preparation of Hemoglobin Solutions for Electrophoresis

Abstract

In order to shorten and simplify the procedures for preparation of hemoglobin solutions for electrophoresis, a technic requiring only a single short centrifugation of blood has been developed. The method involves a centrifugation of diluted whole blood overlying a dense layer which excludes plasma but not erythrocytes. The dense layer consists of 30% (w/v) sucrose containing 0.5% Triton X-100 and 0.01 M Tris, pH 9.0. As the red cells traverse the dense sucrose solution they are lysed by the detergent. The resulting lysate is ready for electrophoresis. The procedure can be carried out using ordinary centrifuge tubes or capillary tubes. The lysates are uncontaminated with plasma protein and electrophoresis results are indistinguishable from those with lysates prepared by more time-consuming procedures.