Fibrinogen is the plasma protein which forms fibrin under the action of thrombin; hence, its properties are of importance in any consideration of blood coagulation. It was early identified in plasma by virtue of its insolubility in concentrated salt solutions3 and by its precipitation on moderate heating.4 In 1879 Hammarsten5 separated and purified this protein by a simple salting-out with half-saturated sodium chloride and this has been the classical method for its separa-tion6•7 although other salts such as ammonium sulfate8 and potassium phosphate9 have also been used. More recently fibrinogen has been shown also to comprise the largest component of the most insoluble major fraction separated from plasma by ethanol precipitation near pH 7 at low temperatures.10•u•12Although the initial separation of fibrinogen is readily accomplished, its further purification is made difficult on the one hand by the ever present danger of clotting13 and on the other hand by its high inherent lability. Procedures for its purification should, therefore, comprise as few steps and require as little time as possible and should avoid conditions which may promote clotting or denaturation.

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