Automated method for L carnitine determination

Abstract

Because of renewed interest in a possible connection between carnitine, lipid disorders, and myopathy, an automated method of analysis is desirable. Deproteinization of serum by use of membrane filter cones and automated assay with a bichromatic analyzer (the ABA 100) substantially increases efficiency without sacrificing the specificity and accuracy of the original manual enzymatic method. The described procedure allows for analysis of 80 specimens a day and is thus suitable for screening of selected populations. Normal values found in blood sera of adults were in the range of 25.0-73.8 μmol/liter and the method has sufficient sensitivity to accurately measure concentrations as small as 10 μmol/liter.