Continuous-flow serum albumin determination by reaction with picrate ions, with use of a flow-through picrate ion electrode.

An automated potentiometric method for serum albumin determination by use of the picrate/albumin reaction is described. A continuous-flow system and a specially designed flow-through picrate ion electrode were used in making the measurements. Various factors affecting the reaction, such as pH, picrate ion concentration, and reaction time, were studied. Peak height in millivolts and albumin concentration were linearly related in the range 10-70 g/L. Both within-run and day-to-day, the CV for the method was about 2%. Analytical recovery of albumin added to serum samples ranged from 97.0 to 110.3%, averaging 102.2%. Results compare favorably with those by the established bromcresol green method. The proposed method is suitable for routine use and for screening tests.