A simple spectrophotometric method for the quantification of residual haemoglobin in platelet concentrates

Background and Objectives High levels of residual haemoglobin (Hb 0·1 g/l) are known to decrease the efficiency of pathogen‐inactivation systems. We evaluated three separate methods to quantify Hb in platelet concentrates (PC). Materials and Methods Nine PC prepared in platelet additive solution (PASIII) (median platelet yield of 283 × 109/unit, range 46–353) were spiked to known Hb concentrations with whole blood and the samples were measured by using each of three methods: the 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) oxidation method (Sigma Diagnostics, 527‐A); the Harboe spectrophotometric method; and the HemoCue plasma low‐Hb photometer (PLHP). Results The TMB and Harboe methods showed linear results compared to expected Hb (r2 ≥ 0·981, P