Transaminase Extraction and Stability from Dried Serum Samples

The stability of transaminase enzymes in the filter paper matrix, at different temperatures for different lengths of time is of considerable importance. A method for extraction and estimation of theses enzymes from serum spotted on filter paper (whatman no.3) has been developed. The enzymes were efficiently extracted and measured from dried serum spots. For estimation, a commercially available enzymatic method was used. The enzyme levels in serum and corresponding dried serum showed good correlation with an intraclass correlation of 0.85 and 0.92 for aspartate and alanine aminotransferases respectively, on the day of collection. The enzymes were found to be stable for upto 15 days at room temperature (16-28 degrees Celsius) and upto one month at 4 degrees Celsius.