Separation and Determination of the Total Globulins of Human Serum

Abstract

A method for isolation and determination of total globulins of human serum, carried out in a single tube without transfer, is described. Serum is treated with 2% (w/v) TCA in ethanol at room temperature to precipitate the globulins quantitatively as a gelatinous white precipitate easily recovered by centrifugation. The supernatant fluid is discarded and the precipitate washed with 2% TCA in ethanol. The globulin precipitate is dissolved in dilute NaOH and biuret reagent is added. There is no interference in the analysis of highly lipemic, icteric, or hemolyzed samples. The method has been applied to a number of abnormal serums, and the reproducibility determined. The globulin precipitation is more reproducible than salt fractionation, and no ether is required for the separation of the albumin from the globulin.