The proteins and sodium in human source blood plasma are segregated and concentrated on freezing, particularly in plasma that is frozen slowly in a large container. The temperature and the concentration gradients at the freezing front induce a convection in the liquid phase and thus play the primary role in the segregation of proteins and sodium in the frozen mass. Unidirectional freezing, where the freezing front moves against gravity, minimizes segregation because the density gradient-induced convection is minimized at the solid-liquid interface. Microscopic observation of the freezing front of the plasma indicates that ice crystals are the primary solid formed. Their shape is generally irregular, and they become highly dendritic as the freezing rate increases. Apparently, the liquid phase at the freezing front is trapped between the ice crystals; it then undergoes a complex secondary freezing process at a lower temperature behind the primary freezing front of the ice crystals.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.