Effects of Storage Duration and Temperature on Some Most Frequent Routine Biochemical Parameters

Abstract

Storage of samples at a given temperature for future Laboratory investigation is a routine due to several technical constraints. This study was designed to determine the effect, reliability and accuracy of studied biochemical parameters upon prolonged sample storage at a given temperature. A total of hundred apparently healthy subjects of equal sex difference were recruited for the study. As case may be, either  plasma or serum extracted from the blood of the subjects were stored at -20 16??/m:t>">  and laboratory analysis carried out on day 1, day 2, day 20 and day 30 respectively for total protein, albumin, globulin, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, HDL, aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase using WHO approved methods. The results of the biochemical parameters showed that the mean concentrations of total protein and albumin were significantly higher (P<0.05) after storage for 30days.The baseline value of the aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase activity exhibited a significant decrease (P <0.05) after day 30. Also a significant decrease (P < 0.05) was observed in concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL on day 30. In conclusion samples for clinical purpose should be analyzed within two days, whereas that for research should not exceed 20 days to ensure reliability and accuracy.

Keywords: Storage time, temperature, biochemicals, proteins, lipids, enzymes