[Effect of sample volumes and utilized anticoagulants on the measurement of complete blood counts including 3-part differentials using capillary blood].

We collected the different volumes of venous blood(60 microL, 125 microL, 250 microL and 500 microL) into micro sample cups from respective volunteer to compare complete blood count (CBC) among 4 sample volumes, and found that 60 microL of sample volume seemed enough for CBC measurement using Microsemi LC-667 CRP (Horiba Co.). Subsequently, we measured CBC using 60 microL of peripheral blood after combining one of the 3 capillary tubes (heparin coated, EDTA coated and plain) with either EDTA coated or plain micro sample cups to examine the effect of anticoagulants contained into these commercially available maneuvers for capillary blood sampling. When we used the plain micro sample cup, platelet aggregation and false increase of white blood cell(WBC) count were observed irrespective to the combination of capillary tubes. We also tried whether commercially recommended volume (250 microL) of sample could be obtained by either fingertip or earlobe puncture from volunteers, and found that 7 of 16 fingertip and only 1 earlobe punctures could achieve sufficient volume. Whereas, at least 60 microL of sample were available more than 80% of volunteers by both methods, and CBC data obtained from these lesser samples obtained by fingertip puncture showed no statistically significant differences when compared with those of conventional venous samples (2 mL). From these findings, we concluded that at least 60 microL of capillary blood obtained from fingertip then collected into EDTA coated micro sample cup was enough to measure CBC using Microsemi LC-667 CRP.

Carotenoids extraction from Japanese persimmon (Hachiya-kaki) peels by supercritical CO(2) with ethanol.

The extraction of carotenoids from Japanese persimmon peels by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), of which the solvent was CO(2), was performed. In order to enhance the yield and selectivity of the extraction, some portion of ethanol (5 - 20 mol%) was added as an entrainer. The extraction temperature ranged from 313 to 353 K and the pressure was 30 MPa. The effect of temperature on the extraction yield of carotenoids was investigated at 10 mol% of the ethanol concentration in the extraction solvent, and a suitable temperature was found to be 333 K among the temperatures studied with respect to the carotenoid yield. With increasing the entrainer amount from 0 to 10 mol% at a constant temperature (333 K), the carotenoid yield in the extraction was improved, whereas the selectivity of the extracted carotenoids was drastically depressed. We also conducted qualitative and quantitative analyses for the carotenoid components in the extract by HPLC, and analyzed the extraction behavior of each individual carotenoid (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin). The selectivity of each carotenoid changed with the elapsed time and its time evolution was dependent on the carotenoid component, indicating that the location profile and the content can be important factors to understand the SFE behavior of each carotenoid in persimmon peels.