Efficient method of haemoglobin F enrichment in adult haemolysate for determination of the gamma-chain isoforms by high-performance liquid chromatography.

An alkali denaturation procedure was developed for the efficient enrichment of haemoglobin F (Hb F) in human adult haemolysate. In contrast to the previous procedures, the method is readily applicable to small amounts of blood containing less than 1% of Hb F, providing reproducibly a sufficient level of Hb F (at least 11%) to allow an accurate high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of the three gamma-chain isoforms. Further enrichment was possible by combination with CM-Sephadex chromatography.