Lg. Menendez et al., Effect of storage of plasma and serum on enzymatic determination of non-esterified fatty acids, ANN CLIN BI, 38, 2001, pp. 252-255
Many contradictory results have been published on the stability of total no
n-esterified fatty acids in blood, plasma and serum under different storage
conditions. The present study was undertaken to investigate the stability
of non-esterified fatty acids, measured with an enzymatic method, in sample
s of EDTA-treated plasma and serum under different temperature conditions.
We conclude that EDTA-treated plasma and serum can both be used for analysi
s, Specific reference values should be established depending on the type of
sample chosen. Samples that cannot be analysed immediately can be stored a
t -20 degreesC for at least 14 days without significant changes in the conc
entration of total non-esterified fatty acids. None of the other storage co
nditions and periods studied are suitable for the measurement of non-esteri
fied fatty acid concentration.