Serum separator gel is a synthetic gel designed to separate serum from the cellular components of blood, such as red and white blood cells, platelets, and other blood particles. When a blood sample is collected in a tube coated with serum separator gel, it undergoes a centrifugal force that separates the blood components based on their density. The gel acts as a barrier between the serum and the cells, forming a distinct boundary between them.
The working principle of serum separator gel is based on the specific gravity of blood components. The gel is denser than serum but less dense than blood cells. When a blood sample is collected in a gel-coated tube, centrifugation is used to separate the cellular components from the serum. The gel separates the sample into three distinct layers: serum, gel barrier, and blood clot. While blood cells and other solid particles settle to the bottom of the tube, the serum rises and forms a distinct layer above the gel. This barrier prevents mixing of serum and blood components during sample analysis.
