Performance properties of filter-paper used in blood spot collection devices for quantitation of phenylalanine

Rodham, Annabel, von Ruhland, Christopher, Carling, Rachel and Moat, Stuart James 2025. Performance properties of filter-paper used in blood spot collection devices for quantitation of phenylalanine. Bioanalysis 10.1080/17576180.2025.2571030

Preview

PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (3MB) | Preview

Abstract

Aims Accurate and precise measurement of dried blood spot (DBS) phenylalanine (Phe) is vital for managing phenylketonuria (PKU). Standard DBS collection devices use grade-226 filter-paper, while the CapitainerB quantitative device utilizes grade-222 filter-paper. Although grade-226 filter-paper performance is well characterized, data on grade-222 filter-paper are sparse. This study aimed to investigate the analytical properties of grade-222 and grade-226 filter-papers. Materials and Methods We compared grade-222 and grade-226 filter-papers for Phe measurement accuracy and imprecision in DBS generated using both filter-papers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and slit lamp imaging were used to assess the physical properties of the filter-papers. Results Using an aqueous calibrator as reference, grade-222 exhibited a mean bias of −1.1%, the mean bias for grade-226 was −7.3%. Intra-assay imprecision was 2.3% for grade-222, versus 4.2% for grade-226. SEM revealed that fibers in grade-226 filter-paper are bonded by an amorphous material, which is absent in grade-222 filter-paper. Total error analysis indicated grade-222 filter-paper reduced uncertainty of Phe measurement compared to grade-226 filter-paper. Conclusions Grade-222 filter-paper was proven to have superior analytical performance for Phe quantification, providing improved differentiation between safe and harmful Phe concentrations and offering more reliable PKU monitoring compared to traditional grade-226 filter-paper.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Schools > Medicine
Additional Information:	RRS applied 25/11/2025 AB
Publisher:	Future Science Group
ISSN:	1757-6180
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	25 November 2025
Date of Acceptance:	1 October 2025
Last Modified:	25 Nov 2025 12:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/181807

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item