Sample preparation is sample dependent, some samples may be tested directly in the assay or after appropriate dilution, however, some samples may require further sample preparation prior to testing.
The following are example of sample preparation methods:
(a) Liquid samples: clear, slightly coloured and approximately neutral, liquid samples can be used directly in the assay.
(b) Acidic samples: if > 0.1 mL of an acidic sample is to be used undiluted (such as wine or fruit juice), the pH of the solution should be increased to approx. 9.0 using 2 M NaOH, and the solution incubated at room temperature for 30 min.
(c) Carbon dioxide: samples containing significant quantities of carbon dioxide, such as beer, should be degassed by increasing the pH to approx. 9.0 with 2 M NaOH and gentle stirring, or by stirring with a glass rod.
(d) Coloured samples: an additional sample blank, i.e. sample with no L-MDH, may be necessary in the case of coloured samples.
(e) Strongly coloured samples: if used undiluted, strongly coloured samples should be treated by the addition of 0.2 g of PVPP/10 mL of sample. Shake the tube vigorously for 5 min and then filter through Whatman No. 1 filter paper.
(f) Solid samples: homogenise or crush solid samples in distilled water and filter if necessary.
(g) Samples containing fat: extract such samples with hot water at a temperature above the melting point of the fat, e.g. in a 100 mL volumetric flask. Adjust to room temperature and fill the volumetric flask to the mark with distilled water. Store on ice or in a refrigerator for 15-30 min and then filter. Discard the first few mL of filtrate, and use the clear supernatant (which may be slightly opalescent) for assay. Alternatively, clarify with Carrez reagents.
(h) Samples containing protein: deproteinise samples containing protein by adding an equal volume of ice-cold 1 M perchloric acid with mixing. Centrifuge at 1,500 g for 10 min and neutralise the supernatant with 1 M KOH. Alternatively, use Carrez reagents.
Sample clarification using Carrez reagents.
Solutions:
Carrez I solution. Dissolve 3.60 g of potassium hexacyanoferrate (II) {K4[Fe(CN)6].3H2O} (Sigma cat. no. P9387) in 100 mL of distilled water. Store at room temperature.
Carrez II solution. Dissolve 7.20 g of zinc sulphate (ZnSO4.7H2O) (Sigma cat. no. Z4750) in 100 mL of distilled water. Store at room temperature. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH, 100 mM). Dissolve 4 g of NaOH in
1 L of distilled water. Store at room temperature.
Procedure:
Pipette the liquid sample into a 100 mL volumetric flask which
contains approx. 60 mL of distilled water or weigh sufficient quantity
of the sample into a 100 mL volumetric flask and add 60 mL of
distilled water. Carefully add 5 mL of Carrez I solution, 5 mL of
Carrez II solution and 10 mL of NaOH solution (100 mM). Mix after
each addition. Fill the volumetric flask to the mark, mix and filter.