P-Hydroxybenzoic acid hydrazide procedure for serum glucose adapted to the Technicon "SMA 12/60," and compared with other glucose methods.

We adapted the p-hydroxybenzoic acid hydrazide procedure for serum glucose for use with the Technicon SMA 12/60 AutoAnalyzer. Like the o-toluidine method, this method is based on a general carbohydrate reaction except that it occurs in a mildly alkaline medium and the intense yellow color formed is measured at 400 nm. Advantages of this reagent over o-toluidine include lower cost, less toxicity, and higher purity. Aside from those carbohydrates that are present in serum in insignificant quantities, there are no interferences from various physiological compounds or drugs (hypoglycemic agents) found either in normal persons or diabetics. Within-run and day-to-day values had coefficients of variation of 1.39% and 3.44%, respectively; recoveries ranged from 100 to 102% (mean, 101%). Comparative data showed excellent agreement with the hexokinase (r equals 0.998; y equals 0.950x + 5.91) and glucose oxidase (r equals 0.996; y equals 0.986x + 5.34) enzymatic ("true") glucose methods, and with the o-toluidine procedure (r equals 0.998; y equals 0.979x + 3.14).