Inaccurate citrate anticoagulant concentration in a blood collection tube after specimen collection can influence the results of coagulation tests. A comprehensive methodology is necessary to reveal differences between the tubes of different brands. We provide insight into anionic-cationic composition and pH of anticoagulant solution in commercial tubes by using high-performance ion exchange chromatography on a purified water model. We made the anticoagulant-volume accuracy assessment possible by a direct dye-dilution method. The results revealed differences between the tubes of two producers, Greiner BIO-ONE (A, and A(nr)), and BD (C). Tubes C have the most accurate anticoagulant amount. Both brands contain buffered citrate. The method of buffer preparation is not a source of interferant for spectrometric method of the tubes’ quality evaluation. Acetate, formate, chloride, nitrite, sulphate, oxalate, bromide, and nitrate impurities were determined in anticoagulant solutions, all in tubes A and some in the others. Tubes C exhibit the highest contamination with cations.
Gros et al. (2025) studied this question.