Modification of the Syva EmitR stTM Urine Amphetamine Assay

AHAI C. LUA, *CHUN K. CHIANG AND *MEI C. GU

Medical Research Center, Tzu Chi College of Medicine 8 Hsin-Shen South Road, Hualien, Taiwan
*Hualien Health Bureau 123 Min-Chuan Road,Hualien,Taiwan

ABSTRACT

   The Syva EmitR stTM Urine Amphetamine Assay qualitatively determines the presence of urine amphetamine, one sample at a time. In each test, one sample and one calibrator are always assayed together to compare the reaction rates. This method is inefficient and expensive. Detailed analysis of the reaction kinetics of the EmitR stTM Urine Amphetamine reagents indicated that the reaction kinetics were relatively linear up to 15 minutes after the initiation of the reactions. This makes it possible to assay multiple samples with a single calibrator. A modified protocol is described which analyzed three samples with each calibrator, a modification leading to savings of one-third of the reagents and cost, with no compromise in assay performance. Addition of an extra 2 ml of distilled water to the regular protocol can lead to even more savings.

Key words : EmitR stTM,Amphetamine, Cost effectiv