Storage of blood samples on kieselguhr and the determination of cholinesterase, alkaline phosphatase and urea.

HERE IS NEED FOR a simple and convenient procedure to conserve small volumes of blood for subsequent estimation of clinically significant enzymes and circulating metabolites. This requirement is especially necessary for such enzymes as cholinesterase, in view of the increasing use of cholinesterase inhibitors in agriculture and industry. It would be useful also in. the estimation. of alkaline phosphatase and urea because of their significance in nutritional surveys of large population groups. This paper describes procedures for the storage of whole blood or serum by adsorption onto tablets of kieselguhr. Methods for preparation of the tablets and for estimation of cholinesterase, alkaline phosphatase, and urea in blood conserved in this manner are also given. METHODSAND MATERIALS