A Few Common Reagents:
Reagent:
- A substance that is used to produce a chemical reaction
- Come with inserts describing makeup, hazards, temperature, storage, interferences, ranges, and other information
- A substance that is either naturally-occurring or gained through a chemical process
- Differentiated by levels of purity or grades
- Analytic Reagent Grade
- High degree of purity
- Chemically Pure Grade
- Sufficiently pure
- USP-Grade
- Not as pure
- Not as hazardous
- NF-Grade
- Not as pure
- Not as hazardous
- Technical Grade
- Used in industry
- Commercial Grade
- Used in industry
- Analytic Reagent Grade
- MSDS sheets for each one
- Shipment requirements
- Hazards
- Safe handling
- Storage
- Temperature requirements
- Disposal
- Some are refrigerated
- Some are frozen
- Some are at room temperature
- Solids: cool, dark, dry place
- Acids and bases: store separately in a well-ventilated storage area
- Flammable solvents: special storage units
- Alcohol
- Acetone
- Acetic acid
- Must be labeled
- Light-sensitive: must be stored in brown bottles
Solution: a mixture made of a solvent (liquid or substance that solute is dissolved in) and solute (dissolved in solvent)
- Pre-Trigger Solution (Refrigerated): This is a solution made with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which creates an acidic environment to prevent the early release of energy in the form of light emission (photons). It keeps microparticles in reagent packs from clumping. It splits acridinium dye off the conjugate bound to the microparticles complex, which gets the dye ready for the next step involving the trigger solution
- Trigger Solution (Room Temp.): This solution includes polyethylene glycol, the same ingredient in antifreeze, along with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), an alkaline solution. It is dispensed to the reaction mixture. The acridinium dye undergoes an oxidative reaction (redox) when it comes into contact with peroxide (oxygen-containing) in the presence of the alkaline solution, resulting in a chemiluminiscent reaction in which N-methyacridine is formed, releasing energy in the form of light emission (photons) as it returns to ground state.
- Wash Buffer Solution
- Probe Wash Solution: This solution removes cellular debris and microbes as it flushes and cleans the probes, both internally and externally, between samples to prevent cross-contamination or carryover.
- 0.5% Bleach Solution: Bleach solution is used to clean the wash zone probes and decontaminate them on a daily basis. It also removes any blood or protein residue.
- 0.5% Acid Wash Solution
- Detergents
- Water Baths/Water Bath Additive: This solution is used to flush the reagent lines and keep the water bath free from microbial contaminants
- Alkaline Wash:
- Alkaline contains the following reactive ingredients: NaOCl, NaOH and KOH. It also contains sodium hydroxide, which can cause severe skin burns and eye damage, so proper PPE should be worn when handling this reagent. It can be irritating to the respiratory tract and mucous membranes, so one should be cautious not to breathe in any vapors, mists or sprays produced by the solution. It is considered toxic/poison and should not be swallowed and should be rinsed off immediately if it gets on the skin or eyes. It is also corrosive to metals so if it spills or drips it should be cleaned up immediately with absorbant paper and disposed of properly.
- Alkaline contains the following reactive ingredients: NaOCl, NaOH and KOH. It also contains sodium hydroxide, which can cause severe skin burns and eye damage, so proper PPE should be worn when handling this reagent. It can be irritating to the respiratory tract and mucous membranes, so one should be cautious not to breathe in any vapors, mists or sprays produced by the solution. It is considered toxic/poison and should not be swallowed and should be rinsed off immediately if it gets on the skin or eyes. It is also corrosive to metals so if it spills or drips it should be cleaned up immediately with absorbant paper and disposed of properly.
Buffer: weak acid or base along with their related salts that have dissociated; minimizes changes in pH
- Wash Buffer
Sodium Azide Solution: Found in many chemistry analyzer reagents
- NaN3
- Inorganic, colorless salt
- Forms a gas
- A component in airbags
- Ionic (forms ions and contains electrical charges)
- Highly soluble in water (mixes well to create a solution)
- It is a probe reagent and a preservative
- It a biocide (kills Gram-negative bacteria, and many Gram-positive bacteria)
- Very toxic and a poison (wear your PPE/gloves/lab coat/goggles or face shield)
- It is the highest the highest rating of 4 on the health scale
- If it mixes with acid, such as acid wash or acidic water, it can create toxic gas
- Explosive hazard, especially if it comes into contact with metals like lead, copper pipes or other metal drainpipes down the sink or in instrumentation
- Considered hazardous waste and must be discarded in a biohazard waste bin
- Can be fatal if it gets on the skin or is ingested and it can be absorbed into the skin
- Can affect the heart, brain, and liver and can cause blindness if it gets in the eyes
- If any spills clean it up right away or if it gets on your lab coat or skin, remove your lab coat and throw it away and wash your hands thoroughly
Sodium Hydroxide Solution:
- NaOH (in laboratory solutions, 0.35N Trigger Solution common)
- Severe skin irritant and can cause burns
- Can cause severe eye damage
- Can cause GI symptoms and severe respiratory symptoms
- Corrosive and caustic and can cause a chemical burn
- Alkaline/Basic/Lye
- Inorganic
- Ionic
- Highly soluble in water
- Component of solutions, soaps, detergents and drain cleaners
- Exothermic reactions
Phosphate Buffered Saline Wash Buffers:
- Helps to maintain a balanced pH of around 7.4
- Isotonic
- Usually contains potassium
- Water-based salt solution
- Non-toxic to most cells
- Dilutions and cell rinsing
- Kept at room temperature so they don't precipitate
Hydrogen Peroxide:
- H2O2
- 1.32% in solution (Pre-trigger)
- Acidic
- A severe irritant
- Unstable
- Slowly decomposes in the presence of a base/alkali or catalyst
- Exothermic reaction
- Flammable and can cause a fire
- Keep refrigerated and protect from light and heat to preserve stability
- It is a cleaning and disinfecting agent and is used to produce chemiluminescence
ICT Reference Solution:
ICT Reference Solution is a reagent that contains sodium, potassium and chloride, and it is used to quantitate sodium, potassium and chloride in the human urine, serum and/or plasma. Sodium, potassium and chloride are important electrolytes that are needed to sustain human life. ICT stands for "integrated chip technology", which utilizes a chip-based ion testing to detect levels of sodium (Na+), potassium (K+) and chloride (Cl-).
ICT washes are utilized to wash the ICT unit, as well as to drain and fill during analyzer maintenance.
This reagent is one that is stable at room temperature until its listed expiration date, as long as it is unopened, and has not become turbid, contaminated, there are no signs of leaking, and it meets calibration and control criteria. As always, good laboratory technique, as well as adequately functioning instruments and reagents, and proper storage of materials, are key for proper functioning of any reagent.
ICT washes are utilized to wash the ICT unit, as well as to drain and fill during analyzer maintenance.
This reagent is one that is stable at room temperature until its listed expiration date, as long as it is unopened, and has not become turbid, contaminated, there are no signs of leaking, and it meets calibration and control criteria. As always, good laboratory technique, as well as adequately functioning instruments and reagents, and proper storage of materials, are key for proper functioning of any reagent.