New method for the estimation of platelet ascorbic acid.

Present techniques for the estimation of platelet ascorbic acid allow interference by other substances in the sample. A new and more specific method of analysis is presented. The proposed method owes its increased specificity to resolution of the extract by thin-layer chromatography. By this means ascorbic acid is separated from other reducing substances present. The separated ascorbic acid is eluted from the thin layer and estimated by a new and very sensitive procedure: ascorbic acid is made to react with ferric chloride and the ferrous ions so formed are estimated spectrophotometrically by the coloured derivative which they form with tripyridyl-Striazine. Results obtained with normal blood platelets were consistently lower than simultaneous determinations by the dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) method.