Factors affecting albumin trailing during electrophoresis

The phenomenon of albumin trailing is examined, and the following observations are made: 1. 1. Albumin trail varies with (a) paper quality and thickness, and (b) varies directly with the voltage applied. 2. 2. Albumin trail is not simply related to (a) the total serum albumin (b) the serum albumin/globulin ratio, or (c) the height of the albumin peak of the scandiagram. 3. 3. Albumin trail increases, and the overall migration decreases as the number of strips in the electrophoretic bath is increased. 4. 4. Azocarmine B in the methanolic phase is the most satisfactory dyestuff for the staining of electrophoretic strips. Direct linearity between amount of albumin scanned and scan-area is demonstrated, for the conditions of electrophoresis and of scanning stated. 5. 5. The previous ratio method for estimation of albumin trail from the minimal trough height of the scan-diagram is confirmed. The albumin trail represents between 9% and 14% of the total albumin, if electrophoresis is performed at modest voltages using Whatman No. 1 filter paper.