Over time, methods of testing for haemoglobins have evolved and changed with advanced technology. Today, boronate affinity chromatography offers a highly specific and accurate way to detect abnormal haemoglobins and variants that may have created interference or inaccurate result in the past.
Affinity chromatography uses a specific method of separating antibodies and antigens, enzymes and substrates, or glycated haemoglobins and glycated plasma proteins from non-glycated proteins. It is similar to a lock and key process, where only the specific glycated component is retained through the chromatography by binding to the boronate added to the surface of the column.
The Use of HPLC and Boronate Affinity
As a leader in testing equipment, Trinity Biotech offers state-of-the-art systems that use boronate affinity and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technology for precise and highly accurate testing of samples.
In these systems, the columns are made up of a porous polymer support that is bonded with aminophenylboronic acid. As the sample and the reagent move through the column, the glycated haemoglobin component binds to the surface of the column through the boronate. This allows the non-glycated elements in the sample to pass through the column and into the spectrophotometric detector.
Once this process is completed, the correct reagent is then pumped through the column, releasing the binding of the glycated haemoglobin. This solution then passes through the spectrophotometric detector, where it is read and recorded by the system.
Unlike older systems that were manually controlled or only semi-automated, the new systems are fully computer operated. This ensures each sample is correctly processed following the required protocols, eliminating issues with human error.
In addition, the system can indentify, operate, calculate results, and print and store the complete patient reports. Temperature controlled and with low sensitivity to slight variations in the reagent pH, this is a cost-effective, accurate, and highly precise option for testing for glycated haemoglobins in patient samples.
