I need plasma samples for analysis of metabolites by NMR methods. I found protocols of plasma preparation suggesting keeping the blood at 4oC before centrifugation but I also found protocols stating that it is important not to cool the blood before centrifugation. What are the reasons of these different recommendations?
Hi Ada Tse
After the blood is collected in a vacutainer, invert it carefully to mix blood and anticoagulant and store at room temperature until centrifugation. You must centrifuge immediately and take out the plasma and keep in -80oC. Please prevent multiple times thawing of samples.
Varsha
Dear Ada Tse,
I think it is no problem to bring the sample to 4°C. At this temperature the blood sample is not freezing. We usually centrifuge the blood at 10°C. In my opinion, neither temperature nor time are limiting factors. If samples are kept for some hours either at room temperature or at 4°C it will have no effect on the sample. During this time the erythrocytes start to settle by themselves. Good luck,
Bernhard
Dear Asa Tse,
I am not sure if you question still is of relevance. However, it depends on your purpose. Concerns regarding cooling the collected whole blood prior to plasma preparation include inducing cell protein secretion, thereby contaminating your plasma samples with intracellular blood-cell proteins. However, I do not have a good reference if this concern is legitimate.
For general considerations see the following publication:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-85052-5
Good luck with your research,
Tue
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