Quick Definition
What is Human Plasma?: Human plasma is the liquid component of blood collected with an anticoagulant (EDTA, heparin, or citrate) before clotting, then separated from blood cells by centrifugation. Unlike serum — collected after clotting — plasma retains fibrinogen, coagulation factors, and platelet-derived proteins at near-physiological concentrations.
When to use plasma instead of serum
Use plasma when the analyte is present in plasma but absent or degraded in serum (coagulation factors, fibrinogen); when the assay requires absence of platelet activation products; or when the application requires clotting factors (coagulation research, thrombin generation, fibrinolysis studies).
Apheresis plasma
Apheresis plasma is collected by automated plasmapheresis — donor blood cells are returned while only plasma is collected, enabling 500–800 mL per donation vs 200–250 mL from whole blood. Available from SeamlessBio on request for large-volume IVD and clinical applications.
Key Facts
- Plasma = blood anticoagulated before clotting → retains fibrinogen, clotting factors, platelets (if PRP)
- Serum = blood allowed to clot → clotting factors consumed, fibrinogen absent, platelets activated/removed
- EDTA plasma: chelates calcium → inhibits calcium-dependent coagulation; standard for haematology and many immunoassays
- Heparin plasma: inhibits thrombin → suitable for clinical chemistry; may interfere with some PCR and molecular assays
- Citrate plasma: chelates calcium → standard for coagulation assays (PT, APTT, fibrinogen)
- Available from SeamlessBio: EDTA, heparin, citrate; single-donor and pooled; EU origin; apheresis plasma on request
Further Reading
SeamlessBio GmbH · Passau, Germany · info@seamlessbio.de
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