Spectrophotometry of Haemoglobin Derivatives

After an introduction (chapter 1) which includes a short historical account of the chemistry and physiological properties of haemoglobin, this monograph gives a survey of spectrophotometry (chapter 2). The nature and laws of the absorption of electromagnetic radiation are briefly covered; measurement procedure, photometric errors and instrument calibration are emphasized; the application of spectrophotometry in the determination of haemoglobin and its derivative is considered in detail. In chapter 3 the reader is given a wealth of information, not available elsewhere and as yet partly unpublished, on the millimolar extinction coefficients of haemoglobin, oxyhaemoglobin, carboxyhaemoglobin, haemiglobin and haemiglobin compounds for the wavelength range from 1000 to 390 nm. A detailed account is included of the experimental methods employed, while emphasis is placed on the use of simple cuvettes allowing very thin sample layers to be obtained. Chapter 4 describes the spectral characteristics of haemoglobin and haemoglobin derivatives after exposure to H2S. It is shown that sulfhaemoglobin is, under certain conditions, included in the measurement of total haemoglobin by the haemoglobincyanide method. Measurement of the haemoglobin content of a blood sample is covered in chapter 5 and 6. Chapter 5 gives a comprehensive review of the methods which have been proposed for the measurement of haemoglobin concentration; a large number of literature references is given. In chapter 6 all details of the standardized haemiglobincyanide method, which has been the adopted method of choice on the international level, are covered, with special attention being paid to the problems of turbidity. Chapter 7, finally, is devoted to those methods which are currently considered the best available for the determination of the individual haemoglobin derivatives which may be encountered in blood samples. A method to estimate the sulfhaemoglobin content in a blood sample is also included. A fairly detailed summary in Spanish is given.