Haemoglobin is a routine diagnostic parameter in each blood count. The method recommended by the ICSH (International Committee for Standardization in Haematology) for measuring haemoglobin concentration is the cyan-methaemoglobin method.

Our SLS haemoglobin detection method uses cyanide-free sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). The reagent lyses red blood cells and white blood cells in the sample. The chemical reaction begins by altering the globin and then oxidising the haeme group. Now the SLS’ hydrophilic groups can bind to the haeme group and form a stable, coloured complex (SLS-HGB), which is analysed using a photometric method.

An LED sends out monochromatic light and by moving through the mixture light is absorbed by the SLS-HGB complexes. The absorbance is measured by a photo sensor and is proportional to the haemoglobin concentration of the sample.

Absorption photometric methods are usually influenced by the turbidity of the sample itself. In blood samples, turbidity can be caused due to lipaemia or leucocytosis. By using the SLS-HGB method these interferences can be minimised due to the effect of the reagent.