Stability of Common Biochemical Analytes in Serum when Subjected to Changes in Storage Conditions and Temperature

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of storage time and temperature on the test results of 8 common biochemical analytes in serum. Materials and methods: Five mL of blood was collected from apparently healthy 80 volunteers in a clot activator tube without anticoagulant. Serum was separated after allowing the sample to clot for 30 minutes at room temperature. Separated serum was made into four aliquots. The first part analyzed within two hours act as a baseline value, while the other three aliquots were stored at room temperature for four hours, at 2-8 C for four hours and at 2-8 C for 24 hours, respectively. Results: Baseline serum values of common biochemical analytes analyzed within two hours of sample collection on comparison with the same sample stored at room temperature for four hours showed a significant change in the values of glucose, urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, albumin, and total protein. Also the values of glucose, urea and albumin were significantly changed on comparing the baseline sample with the sample that is stored for four hours at 2-8 C. Finally we compared the baseline values with the sample stored at 2-8 C for 24 hours and found a significant change among the values of glucose, total bilirubin, and albumin. Other analytes were found to be stable.