Automated continuous-flow determinations of serum proteins by pulse polarography

A new flow-through cell is described for application of the dropping mercury electrode to the determination of serum proteins in an automated continuous-flow system. By using differential pulse polarography with short controlled drop times, it is possible to run a rapid automated system at sampling rates of up to 120 per hour with approximately +/- 1% precision and less than 3% carry-over. With the Brdicka reagent, hexa-amminecobalt(III) chloride, various serum proteins can be determined in the range 5-50 mug/ml. The method therefore offers a rapid and sensitive automated procedure for determination of serum proteins.