Lauryl sulphate haemoglobin: a non-hazardous substitute for HiCN in haemoglobinometry

Abstract

Summary The haemiglobincyanide (HiCN) method for measuring haemoglobin is used extensively worldwide; its advantage is the ready availability of a stable and internationally accepted reference standard/calibrator. However, its use may create a problem, especially in automated analysers, as the waste disposal of large volumes of reagent containing cyanide may constitute a potential toxic hazard. As an alternative, conversion of haemoglobin to a sulphate derivative by non‐toxic sodium lauryl sulphate has been proposed and is available as a commercial product from Toa Medical Electronics Co. Ltd., Japan. This evaluation has shown it to be as reliable and reproducible as HiCN for measuring haemoglobin at all concentrations, by both spectrophotometry and automated analyser. Maximum absorbance is at 534 nm. Total conversion occurs almost instantaneously, and includes methaemoglobin but not sulphaemoglobin. HbF is also measured. The only disadvantage is that solutions of haemoglobin‐sulphate are stable for only a few hours at room temperature and up to three weeks at 4°C. Thus, for standardization and calibration of instruments it is necessary to use a sample of blood or lysate the haemoglobin value of which has been assigned initially by the HiCN method.

Adaptive Use of Bubble Wrap for Storing Liquid Samples and Performing Analytical Assays

“…The wastes that are produced from the cyanomethemoglobin method should be disposed of appropriately. 35,36 Bubble wrap is a suitable container for the point-of-care determination of hemoglobin using the cyanomethemoglobin method. The Drabkin's reagent could be stored inside the bubbles in central facilities, and the filled bubbles can be safely transported to the field as they are sealed.…”

Hemoglobin determination with paired emitter detector diode

“…Unfortunately, the presence of potassium cyanide and potassium ferricyanide in the reagents constitutes a potential toxic hazard and problems of laboratory and environmental pollution. As an alternative, conversion of hemoglobin to a sulfate derivative by non-toxic SLS has been proposed [18, 19]. This reagent converts all fractions of Hb into stable SLS-MetHb form exhibiting maximal absorbance at 536 nm (Fig.…”

Technology and New Fluorescence Flow Cytometry Parameters in Hematological Analyzers

“…Therefore, it is necessary to include the absolute values of cell populations in the automated differential blood cell counts. Only with the microscopic blood cell counts are the relative cell population numbers meaningful because only 100 cells are counted and categorized . A microscopic blood cell count should be requested only for a specific hematological question when the clinical picture is relatively clear (e.g., for the differentiation of leukemia or lymphomas).…”