What is the most common method for determining serum albumin levels?

What is the most common method for determining serum albumin levels?

• A. Dye binding
• B. Electrophoresis
• C. Biuret
• D. Immunoassay

Answer: (A)

Dye binding is the most common method for determining serum albumin levels due to its specificity, sensitivity, and simplicity. This method typically involves the use of a dye, such as bromcresol green (BCG) or bromcresol purple (BCP), which binds to albumin in a sample. The resulting color intensity is directly proportional to the concentration of albumin present, allowing for straightforward quantification. While other methods like electrophoresis can separate proteins based on their charge and size, it is more complex, time-consuming, and typically used for identifying protein types rather than for routine quantification of albumin levels. The Biuret method, which measures total protein in a sample, is not specific to albumin, and immunoassays are generally used for specific proteins but are less common for routine albumin measurement due to cost and complexity. Thus, dye binding remains the preferred and widely adopted technique for assessing serum albumin concentrations in clinical laboratories.

Dye binding is the most common method for determining serum albumin levels due to its specificity, sensitivity, and simplicity. This method typically involves the use of a dye, such as bromcresol green (BCG) or bromcresol purple (BCP), which binds to albumin in a sample. The resulting color intensity is directly proportional to the concentration of albumin present, allowing for straightforward quantification.

While other methods like electrophoresis can separate proteins based on their charge and size, it is more complex, time-consuming, and typically used for identifying protein types rather than for routine quantification of albumin levels. The Biuret method, which measures total protein in a sample, is not specific to albumin, and immunoassays are generally used for specific proteins but are less common for routine albumin measurement due to cost and complexity. Thus, dye binding remains the preferred and widely adopted technique for assessing serum albumin concentrations in clinical laboratories.