MODULE 3

BIOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY SAMPLE PREPARATION

Sample preparation is extremely vital in performing analytical procedures. In most biochemical assays
errors caused by sample preparation is often greater than those caused by analysis itself, depending on
objectives and subjects of analysis. In most analyses, a portion of the sample is analyzed, and the results
are used to represent the total composition of the sample, and as such if an aliquant taken for analysis
does not represent the original sample accurately, the results of this analysis are questionable. Therefore,
sample preparation has to be done very carefully.

Sampling

Sample handling &

preparation

Concentration,
separation, isolation e.t.c.

Analytical analysis

Schematic representation of sample preparation

One major goal of laboratory sample preparation is to provide, without sample loss, representative
aliquants that are free of laboratory contamination that will be used in the next steps of the protocol.
Samples are prepared in accordance with applicable standard operating procedures (SOPs) and
laboratory SOPs using information provided by field sample preparation. Sample screening activities,
and objectives given in the appropriate planning documents.

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General Sample Preparation Guidance

Precautions during sample preparation basically involve those that minimize sample losses and to
prevent contamination.

Sample Losses during Preparation

Materials may be lost from a sample during laboratory preparation through any of the following means

1. As dust or particulates
2. Through Volatilization
3. Reactions Between Sample and Container

Contamination from Sources in the Laboratory

Contamination leads to biased data that may falsify the concentration in a specific sample. Therefore,
laboratory personnel should take appropriate measures to prevent the contamination of samples. Such
precautions are most important when multiple samples are processed together. Possible sources of
contamination include:

1. Airborne
2. Reagents
3. Glassware/equipment
4. Facilities
5. Cross-contamination between high- and low-activity samples.

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