Selection of Acid Salts: A Critical Step in Creating an Acidic Condition for Plasma Iron Release and Measurement
- Author:
Wai Feng Lim
1
;
Maha Abdullah
2
,
3
;
Kok Lian Ho
2
;
Boon Kar Yap
4
,
5
;
Mei I Lai
2
,
6
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Acid salts, Plasma iron, Citric acid, Iron deficiency anaemia, Human plasma
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2020;16(Supp 9, November):52-57
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
- Abstract: Introduction: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most common cause of anaemia worldwide. Determination of body iron status is necessary to diagnose IDA. This can be measured using a biochemistry assessment of the serum/ plasma. Plasma/serum iron quantitation is also important in diagnosing iron overload disorders. However, iron studies are limited due to high cost and lack of access to biochemical analysers. Therefore, a cost- and technical-effective method is needed to measure human plasma iron concentration. Plasma iron is mainly transferrin-bound and an acidic plasmic condition is necessary to release the iron. This study investigated various candidate acid salts to achieve the acidic condition needed for plasma iron release. Method: Ten powdered or crystallised acid salts were studied for their water solubility as well as their pH reduction capability in revised simulated body fluid (r-SBF) and commercially available human plasma without any change in colour or form. Results: Six acid salts studied were discontinued from further investigation because they were insoluble in water. Another two candidates were unsuitable as they precipitated in r-SBF and human plasma. Maleic acid formed a jelly-like texture after a certain amount of time in human plasma. Only citric acid met all the criteria of a suitable acid salt to be investigated further as part of the reagent for a spontaneous plasma iron measurement. Conclusion: Citric acid, which is a colourless and odourless acid salt, was selected to lower the human plasma pH to an acidic condition for transferrin-bound iron release.
- Full text:11.2020my0884.pdf
