Alsever's solution is a saline liquid used to prevent coagulation of blood. It is composed of 2.05%

dextrose Glucose is a simple sugar with the molecular formula . Glucose is overall the most abundant monosaccharide, a subcategory of carbohydrates. Glucose is mainly made by plants and most algae during photosynthesis from water and carbon dioxide, usin ...

, 0.8%

sodium citrate Sodium citrate may refer to any of the sodium salts of citric acid (though most commonly the third): * Monosodium citrate * Disodium citrate * Trisodium citrate The three forms of salt are collectively known by the E number E331. Applications ...

, 0.055%

citric acid Citric acid is an organic compound with the chemical formula HOC(CO2H)(CH2CO2H)2. It is a colorless weak organic acid. It occurs naturally in citrus fruits. In biochemistry, it is an intermediate in the citric acid cycle, which occurs in t ...

, and 0.42%

sodium chloride Sodium chloride , commonly known as salt (although sea salt also contains other chemical salts), is an ionic compound with the chemical formula NaCl, representing a 1:1 ratio of sodium and chloride ions. With molar masses of 22.99 and 35 ...

. For usage, an equal volume of blood is gently, but thoroughly, mixed with the solution. This solution is used to study ''

in vitro ''In vitro'' (meaning in glass, or ''in the glass'') studies are performed with microorganisms, cells, or biological molecules outside their normal biological context. Colloquially called "test-tube experiments", these studies in biology and ...

'' anti-inflammatory activity of crude drugs by the human red blood cell stabilization method. It is also used to preserve blood cells from other sources. The test was invented in 1941 by the American Hematologist, John Bellows Alsever (1908–1978).

References

{{Reflist Solutions Cell culture reagents Biochemistry methods