Method for increasing shelf-life of a serum bilirubin reference composition and composition produced thereby
AssigneeBeckman Instruments, Inc.
InventorAllan L. Louderback
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A stable blood serum bilirubin reference composition characterized in that the composition possess a pH of from about 8.2 to about 9.2 and comprises (a) a sulfhydryl compound in an amount sufficient to enhance the stability of the bilirubin and (b) a chelating agent in an amount sufficient to bind all the metals present in the blood serum moiety of the composition. This blood serum bilirubin composition when stored in a gas impervious vial under an inert atmosphere has an excellent shelf life.
Claims14
An improved blood serum reference composition of the type comprising blood serum having a bilirubin constituent of known value, characterized in that said composition possesses a pH of from about 8.2 to about 9.2 and further comprises:
- (a) a sulfhydryl compound in an amount sufficient to further enhance the stability of bilirubin and
- (b) a chelating agent in an amount sufficient to bind the metals present in said blood serum.
An improved bilirubin reference composition comprising in its non-biological component from about 60 to about 80 weight percent water, from about 20 to about 40 weight percent of at least one alkylene polyol having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms, the remainder being bilirubin and, optionally, other natural biological materials selected from a group consisting of blood serum, enzymes, metabolites, electrolytes, and hormones, characterized in that said composition possesses a pH of from about 8.2 to about 9.2 and further comprises:
- (a) a sulfhydryl compound in an amount sufficient to further enhance the stability of bilirubin and
- (b) a chelating agent in an amount sufficient to bind the metals present in said blood serum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.