Reagent composition, methods and kits for quantification of magnesium or calcium and magnesium

Abstract: A method for determining the quantity of calcium or magnesium in an analytical sample and the novel reagent compositions.

Description: The invention is directed to reagent compositions and methods for quantitating magnesium or both calcium and magnesium concurrently in an analytical sample as well as kits used therefor. With the exception of potassium, magnesium is the most abundant intracellular ion. It is essential to many physiochemical processes including the activation of ATP in the transfer of energy rich phosphate, the activation of enzymes involved in lipid, carbohydrate, and protein metabolism, and the preservation of the macromolecular structure of DNA, RNA and ribosomes. Magnesium also has a significant influence on the neuromuscular apparatus and decreased concentrations of magnesium may result in tetany and convulsions, while increased levels can cause general anesthesia, respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. Because tetany due to reduced magnesium concentrations is clinically indistinguishable from that caused by low calcium levels it is frequently necessary to perform assays for both serum magnesium and calcium at the same time. Many methods have been used to determine magnesium levels, including phosphate precipitation techniques, complexometric titration procedures, fluorescent spectrophotometry, and dye absorption methods utilizing Titan yellow. These methods are generally time consuming or suffer from technical drawbacks. The best method for the assay of magnesium is generally considered to be atomic absorption spectrophotometry, however this requires expensive instrumentation which often makes it impracticable for smaller laboratories. The determination of magnesium by reaction with calmagite is also known however with this methodology the reagents are somewhat unstable and the determination in general subject to a variety of interferents. In general, the existing methodologies for measuring total calcium in biologic fluids involves considerable manipulation of samples and reagents prior to determination. Gravimetric and titrimetric methods usually require large sample volumes. Colorimetric methods, both manual and automated, commonly involve final readings under highly alkaline conditions. The indicators used for such determinations are often unstable at the final pH thus requiring reagent dilution with a strong base. The measurement of calcium and magnesium with chlorophosphonazo III is known by Y. Yuan, Anal. Chim. Acta 2I2, 291-295, 1988, however, the concurrent measurement of both calcium and magnesium with the chlorophosphonazo III methodology requires radical pH changes in order to measure one ion without interference by the other, as well as close control of experimental conditions for reliable results. Object of the invention is to overcome above-mentioned disadvantages. Therefore, the invention is directed to: reagent compositions useful in the determination of magnesium in an analytical sample, reagent compositions useful in the determination of magnesium and calcium concurrently in an analytical sample, a method for determining magnesium in an analytical sample, a method for the concurrent determination of calcium and magnesium in an analytical sample and kits used for performing the methods. The invention is first directed to reagent compositions useful in the determination of magnesium in an analytical sample. The determination of magnesium according to the instant invention is a multi step process. In the first step, a first reagent composition (Reagent 1) is added to a sample to be analyzed for magnesium. This first reagent composition essentially comprises chlorophosphonazo III and a chelating agent selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid or 1-2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid. The chelating agent may be ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid. Preferably the first reagent composition contains about 0.01. to 1.0 mM chlorophosphonazo III and 0.1-100 mM ethyleneglycol-bis-(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid. This composition may additionally contain one or more buffers, detergents, anti-microbials or anti-foam agents, whereby the buffers may be tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, imidazole, and 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino)-ethanesulfonic acid; the anti-microbials may be sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim; the detergent may be polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate; and the anti-foam agent may be a silicon based defoaming agent. Preferably the first reagent composition comprises 10-600 mM 2- {[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 0.1-500 mM imidazole, 0.01-10 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 1-40 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim and 0.01-10 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. More preferably this first reagent comprises 1-5 wt.-%, tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 50-300 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 0.1-2.0 mM imidazole, 0.1-10 mM ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, 0.1-1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim, 0.05-0.30 mM chlorophosphonazo III and 0.01-1.0 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent and especially comprises about 3 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 50 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 145 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 10 mM ethylene glycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, 1.0 mM imidazole, 0.1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 5 µg/ml trimethoprim, 0.200 mM chlorophosphonazo III, and 0.075 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The second reagent composition (Reagent 2) which is useful for the measurement of magnesium according to the method of the invention comprises 1-500 mM ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid, 10-600 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 0.1-500 mM imidazole, 0.01-10 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 1-40 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim and 0.01-10 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. Preferably this reagent composition comprises about 1-5 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 50-300 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 10-25 mM ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid, 0.1-2.0 mM imidazole, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim, 0.1-1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, and 0.01-1.0 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent and especially about 3 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 50 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 100 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 16 mM ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid, 1.0 mM imidazole, 0.1 wt.-% polyoxyethlyene sorbitan monolaurate, 5 µg/ml trimethoprim and 0.075 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. These two novel reagents are used in the determination of magnesium according to the methods of the invention. The invention also covers, however, a method for the concurrent determination of both calcium and magnesium in an analytical sample. This determination requires a further reagent composition called third, fourth or fifth reagent composition, which is comprised of chlorophosphonazo III and one or more buffers, detergents, anti-microbials or anti-foam agents. The third reagent composition useful for the concurrent determination of calcium and magnesium in an analytical sample (Reagent 3) comprises 0.01-1.0 mM chlorophosphonazo III, 10-600 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 0.1-500 mM imidazole, 0.01-10 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 1-40 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim and 0.01-10 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent, preferably 0.05-0.3 mM chlorophosphonazo III, 1-5 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 50-300 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 0.1-2.0 mM imidazole, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim, 0.1-1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, and 0.01-1 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent and especially about 3 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 50 µlg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 145 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino)-ethanesulfonic acid, 1.0 mM imidazole, 0.1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 5 µg/ml trimethoprim, 0.200 mM chlorophosphonazo III and 0.075 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The fourth reagent composition useful for the concurrent determination of calcium and magnesium in an analytical sample (Reagent 4) comprises about 3 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 5 µg/ml trimethoprim, 50 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 100 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 1.0 mM imidazole, 60 mM ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, 0.1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate and 0.075 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The fifth reagent composition useful for the concurrent determination of calcium and magnesium in an analytical sample (Reagent 5) comprises about 3 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 5 µg/ml trimethoprim, 50 µg/ml sulfame-thoxazole, 100 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 1.0 mM imidazole, 32 mM ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid, 0.1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate and 0.075 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. Further, the invention is directed to a method for the determination of magnesium in an analytical sample comprising the steps of: a) mixing the sample with the first reagent composition defined above, b) measuring the absorbance of the sample, c) adding the second reagent composition defined above to the reaction mixture, d) measuring the absorbance of the sample, whereby the difference in absorbance is proportional to the quantity of magnesium in the sample. In the above method it is suitable that 100 to 270 µl of the first reagent composition is mixed with 2 to 95 µl sample in the first cycle and the absorbance read at 550 nm, after which 30 to 90 µl of the second reagent composition is added and after 0.5 to 3 minutes a second absorbance reading made at 550 nm. It is particularly suitable that 180 µl of the first reagent composition is mixed with 4.5 µl sample and the absorbance read at 550 nm, after which 60 µl of the second reagent composition is added and after about 3 minutes the absorbance is read at 550 nm. The invention also concerns an alternate method for the determination of magnesium in an analytical sample comprising the steps of: a) mixing the sample with the first reagent composition defined above, b) measuring the absorbance of the sample, and c) measuring the absorbance of a water blank, whereby the difference in absorbance is proportional to the quantity of magnesium in the sample. Figure 1 illustrates the absorbance curve of the sample during various points in the determination of magnesium according to a method of the invention 1) illustrates the absorbance of a mixture containing the first reagent composition (Reagent 1) and the sample at various wavelengths. 2) illustrates the absorbance at various wavelengths after the second reagent composition (Reagent 2) is added to the Reagent 1-Sample mixture. 3) illustrates the difference in absorbance at various wavelengths. Preferably, the chelating agent is ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA). Any analytical sample is suitable such as serum, plasma or urine however any other analytical sample is suitable, for example water samples for testing the concentrations of analyte in public water. As a preferred embodiment of the method concentrations of both Reagents 1 and 2 are as set forth above. When serum or plasma is used, the blood may be collected in serum tubes or tubes with anticoagulant such as heparin, sodium fluoride, or oxalate. The absorbance during each step of the procedure may be measured at a wavelength which is sensitive to magnesium binding preferably either 550 or 675 nanometers (nm). If the absorbance is read at 550 nm, then the quantity of magnesium in the sample is determined by the absorbance decrease at 550 nm when the magnesium in the sample complexes with chlorophosphanazo III (CPZ3). If, on the other hand, the absorbance is read at 675 nm, the absorbance increases as the sample magnesium complexes with CPZ3. Either absorbance reading is possible although 675 nm is preferred. The difference in absorbance is proportional to the quantity of magnesium in the sample. The ethylene diamine-tetracetic acid (EDTA) in Reagent 2 binds magnesium and gives a blank for the sample-reagent mixture. The blank reduces interference from substances at the measuring wavelength such as triglycerides, hemoglobin, and bilirubin. To obtain optimal results the pH for the CPZ3 reagent should be about pH 7.5. This allows for increased ragent stability. For example in the old calmagite methods for measuring magnesium a pH range of 10-13 was required, which in turn created reagent instability. The neutral pH for the CPZ3 containing reagent of the invention virtually eliminates C02 absorption and reagent instability when the reagent remains exposed to open air for any length of time. 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}ethane sulfonic acid (TES) buffer is the preferred buffer for use in the reagents because of a pKa of 7.5, and the EGTA in Reagent 1 eliminates interference from sample calcium. The silicon based defoaming is added to both reagents to reduce bubbling from the detergent. Other bases can be used instead of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, for example as NaOH or KOH. The assay of the invention may be conducted on standard laboratory analytical instruments such as the COBAS BIO®, COBAS FARA™, or COBAS MIRA™, (Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., Nutley, New Jersey). On the COBAS MIRA 100 to 270 µl Reagent 1 is mixed with 2 to 95 µl sample in the first cycle. The absorbance is read at 550 nm. Then 30 to 90 µl Reagent 2 is added and after 0.5 to 3 minutes (cycle 8) a second absorbance reading made at 550 nm. Preferably, however, 180 µl of Reagent 1 is mixed with a 4.5 µl sample in the first cycle. The absorbance is read at 550 nm. Sixty µl of Reagent 2 is added and after 3 minutes (cycle 8) a second absorbance reading is made at 550 nm. The absorbance change is proportional to the concentration of magnesium in the sample. Standards and controls are run in conjunction with the samples and the magnesium concentration in the samples is calculated from the standard curve in the usual manner. The magnesium method of the invention may also be determined on the COBAS FARA or COBAS B10. In this instance 30 to 225 µl Reagent 1 is mixed with 2 to 95 µl sample,. incubated for 5 to 1000 seconds at 20-40°C and the absorbance read at 675 nm. Then 10 to 75 µl Reagent 2 is added and after 0.5 to 1000 seconds a second absorbance reading is taken at 675 nm. Preferably 180 µl Reagent 1 is mixed with 2 µl of sample. The assay is run at 37° and after mixing Reagent 1 with sample, the mixture incubated for lZ0 seconds after which the absorbance is read at 675 nm. Then 60 µl Reagent 2 is added and after 100 seconds a second absorbance reading is made at 675 nm. The absorbance difference between the two readings is proportional to the concentration of magnesium in the sample. The invention is also directed to a method for the concurrent determination for both calcium and magnesium in an analytical sample.comprising the steps of: a) mixing a sample with the third reagent composition defined above (Reagent 3), b) measuring the absorbance of the sample, c) adding a reagent composition comprising ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid and one or more buffers, detergents, anti-microbials or anti-foam agents and no ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid, d) measuring the absorbance of the sample, e) adding the fifth reagent composition defined above (Reagent 5), f) measuring the absorbance of the sample, whereby the difference in absorbance between (d) and (b) is proportional to the quantity of calcium in the sample and the difference in absorbance between (f) and (d) is proportional to the quantity of magnesium in the sample. As above, the analytical sample may be serum, plasma, urine or any other body fluids as well as water or other samples. The absorbance may be measured at 550 nm or 675 nm. Preferably, the concentrations of Reagents 3, 4 and 5 are as mentioned previously. In this method the assay may also be conducted on the COBAS BIO, COBAS MIRA, or COBAS FARA. For example, on the COBAS FARA the assay is run at 37°C. Approximately 30 to 225 µl Reagent 3 is mixed with 2 to 95 µl sample and the absorbance read at 675 nm. Then 5-40 µl of a reagent composition comprising ethyleneglycol-bis(2- aminoethylether)-N,N,N' ,N'-tetraacetic acid and one or more buffers, detergents, anti-microbials or anti-foam agents and no ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid or Reagent 4 is added and the absorbance is read. Then 5 to 40 µl of Reagent 5 is added and the absorbance read. Most optimally about 180 µl Reagent 3 is mixed with 2 µl sample and the absorbance read at 675 nm. Then 30 µl Reagent 4 is added and the absorbance read. Then 30 µl Reagent 5 is added and the absorbance read. The calcium concentration is calculated from the absorbance change between the first two reads and the magnesium concentration between reads 2 and 3. The invention is also directed to a diagnostic test kit useful for the measurement of magnesium in an analytical sample which comprises a container containing the above defined first reagent composition and a container containing the above defined second reagent composition, and a diagnostic test kit useful for the measurement of calcium and magnesium in an analytical sample which comprises a container containing the above defined third reagent composition, a container containing the reagent composition comprising ethylene-glycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid and one or more buffers, detergents, anti-microbials or anti-foam agents and no ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid or the above defined fourth reagent composition and a container containing the above defined fifth reagent composition. The present invention will be fully described in connection with the following examples which are set forth for the purposes of illustration only. Example 1 Reagent Preparation Reagent 1 (1 liter): 75 ml tetrabutylammonium hydroxide and 0.050g sulfamethoxazole are dissolved in about 750 ml of deionized water. The final components are fully dissolved in the reagent solution in the following order: first, 33.3g TES (free acid): second, 3.92 g EGTA (free acid); third 0.0681 g imidazole; fourth 0.0050 g trimethoprim; fifth 0.1515 g Chlorophosphonazo III. Finally, 1.0 g polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20) and 0.75 g of a silicon based defoaming agent (Foamaster FLD) are added, the pH adjusted to 7.5 with HCl and the volume brought to 1 liter. The concentrations of the components in Reagent 1 are: 3% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide 145 mM TES (free acid) 10 mM EGTA (free acid) 1.0 mM imidazole 5 µg/ml trimethoprim 0.20 mM Chlorophosphonazo III 0.1% Tween 20 0.075% Foamaster FLD 50 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole Reaqent 2 (1 liter): 75 ml tetrabutylammonium hydroxide and 0.050 g sulfamethoxazole are dissolved in about 750 ml deionized water. The final components are fully dissolved in the reagent solution in the following order: first 22.9 g TES free acid; second, 4.72g EDTA free acid; third, 0.0681 g imidazole, fourth 0.0050 g trimethoprim. Finally 1.0 g Tween 20 and 0.75 g Foamaster FLD are added, the pH adjusted to 7.5 with HCl and the volume brought to 1 liter. The final concentrations of the components in Reagent 2 are: 3% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide 100 mM TES (free acid) 16 mM EDTA (free acid) 1.0 mM imidazole 50 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole 5 µg/ml trimethoprim 0.1% Tween 20 0.075% Foamaster FLD. Example 2 Magnesium determination on the COBAS MIRA The assay is conducted at 37°C and 180 µl of Reagent 1 is mixed with 4.5 µl sample in the first cycle. The absorbance is read at 550 nm. 60 ml Reagent 2 is added in the second cycle and after 3 minutes (cycle 8) a second absorbance reading is taken at 550 nm. The absorbance change between the 2 readings is proportional to the concentration of magnesium in the sample. Standards and controls are run in conjunction with the samples and the magnesium concentration in the samples is calculated from the standard curve in the usual manner. The following table illustrates the absorbance changes when magnesium is determined according to the method of the invention: Sample A 550 Cycle 1 A 550 Cycle 8 Δ(Cycle 8-Cycle 1) 0.49mmol/l Mg++ 1.7079 1.7737 0.0658 0.85 1.6500 1.7524 0.1024 1.07 1.6386 1.7645 0.1259 1.32 1.6096 1.7604 0.1508 1.52 1.5772 1.7483 0.1711 Example 3 Magnesium determination on the COBAS FARA The assay is conducted at 37°C and 180 ml of Reagent 1 is mixed with 2 µl sample, incubated for 120 seconds and the absorbance read at 675 nm. 60 µl Reagent 2 is added and after 100 seconds a second absorbance reading is taken at 675 nm. The absorbance change between the two readings is proportional to the magnesium concentration of the sample. Standards and controls are run in conjunction with the samples and the magnesium concentration of the samples is calculated from the standard curve in the usual manner. The table illustrates the absorbance changes when magnesium is determined according to the method of the invention: Sample A 675 (120 seconds) A 675 (220 seconds) ΔA (120 seconds-220 seconds) 0.42mmol/l Mg ++ 1.5310 1.2477 0.2833 0.88 1.6698 1.2622 0.4076 1.32 1.8039 1.2787 0.5252 1.73 1.9118 1.2760 0.6358 2.11 2.0399 1.2859 0.7540 Example 4 Correlation with prior art Serum samples from ninety-four random patients were assayed on the COBAS MIRA according to the method of Example 2, as well as the Sigma Calmagite Magnesium method (test kit Cat. No. 595-m). 240µl reagent (prepared by combining equal parts of Reagents 1 and 2) was pipetted into cuvette and an absorbance reading taken at 550 nm. 2.4µl sample is then added, and after 1 minute a second absorbance reading is taken at 550nm. The change in absorbance between the two readings correlates with the magnesium concentration in the sample. The samples assayed according to Example 2 were correlated with the same samples assayed according to the Sigma Calmagite Method. A linear regression line where Y=1.08 X -0.14 resulted where Y is the sample value determined by the assay method of the invention and X is the sample value determined by the prior art Calmagite method. The coefficient of correlation between these two methods is 0.9544. Example 5 Determination of calcium and magnesium on COBAS FARA The assay is conducted at 37°C and 180µl Reagent 3 is mixed with 2µl sample and the absorbance is read at 675nm. 30µl of Reagent 4 is added and the absorbance is read at 675nm. 30µl of Reagent 5 is added and absorbance reads at 675nm. The calcium concentration is calculated from the absorbance change between reads (1) and (2) and the magnesium concentration is calculated from the absorbance difference between read (2) and read (3). Reagent 3 (1 liter): 75ml tetrabutylammonuim hydroxide and 0.050g sulfamethoxazole are dissolved in approximately 750 ml deionized water. The final components are fully dissolved in the reagent: 33.3 g TES free acid, 0.0681 g imidazole; 0.0050 g trimethoprim, and 0.1515 g CPZ3. Finally, 1.0 g Tween 20 and 0.75 g Foamaster FLD are added. The pH is adjusted to 7.5 with HCl and the volume brought to 1 liter. The concentrations of the components in Reagent 3 are: 3% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide 50 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole 145 mM TES free acid 1.0 mM imidazole 5 µg/ml trimethoprim 0.20 mM ChlorophosphonazoIII 0.1% Tween 20 0.075% Foamaster FLD Reagent 4 : Reagent 4 is made in the same manner as Reagent 2 resulting in the following component concentrations: 3% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide 5 µg/ml trimethoprim 50 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole 100 mM TES free acid 1.0 mM imidazole 60 mM EGTA free acid 0.1% Tween 20 0.075% Foamaster FLD pH 7.5 Reagent 5 : Reagent 5 is made in the same manner as Reagent 2 resulting in the following component concentrations: 3% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide 5 µg/ml trimethoprim 50 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole 100 mM TES free acid 1.0 mM imidazole 32 mM EDTA free acid 0.1% Tween 20 0.075% Foamaster FLD pH 7.5 Example 7 Calcium Interference The assays are conducted as described in Examples 2 and 3. A single serum sample was aliquoted into a number of samples and varying amounts of calcium were added to each aliquot as set forth below. The EGTA in Reagent 1 acts to chelate the calcium thus minimizing its interference in the magnesium assay. The table below illustrates the minimal interference from calcium. Calcium added to Sample Magnesium Value Determined in Ex. 2 Magnesium Value Determined in Ex. 3 (mmol/l) (mmol/l) 0 mg/dl 0.75 0.77 +5mg/dl 0.74 0.77 +10mg/dl 0.76 0.78 +15mg/dl 0.78 0.80 +20mg/dl 0.78 0.80 +30mg/dl 0.79 0.78 Example 8 Stability of Reagents 1 and 2 at Elevated Temperatures There is no change in performance of Reagents 1 and 2 after storage at 55°C for 3 months. The table below illustrates the performance of stressed reagents (stored at 55°C for 3 months) compared to fresh reagent. (Serum samples assayed according to Example 3). Control Reagent (Fresh) Stressed Reagent 0.48 0.47 1.39 1.38 2.25 2.21 Example 9 Correlation with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AA) is a well known method used for magnesium determination. Eighty-four patient serum samples were analyzed for calcium by AA by Roche Biomedical Labs, Raritan, NJ, according to Tietz, Clinical Chemistry (1986). The same samples were analyzed for calcium according to the method set forth in Example 2 and 3 herein. The results are as follows: Methods Linear Regression Line Coefficieny of Correlation (r) Example 2 MIRA(y) v AA(x) y=1.06 x -.07 0.9405 Example 3 FARA(y) v AA(x) y=1.04 x -.02 0.9496 As evidenced by the above, the correlation between AA and the methods of the invention are 0.9405 and 0.9496. Example 10 Example of Single Reagent Application Reagent 2 provides a sample blank for the assay but the assay still performs without Reagent 2. Assay on MIRA : 100-600 µl 2-95 µl 180 µl of Reagent 1 is mixed with 4.5 µl sample and absorbance is measured at 550 nm. This absorbance is substracted from a water blank and the absorbance charge is proportioned to the sample magnesium concentration SAMPLE Asso. ΔA (blank-sample) BLANK 1.7768 0.49 mmol/l Mg 1.7079 .0689 0.85 1.6500 0.1268 1.07 1.6386 0.1382 1.32 1.6096 0.1672 1.52 1.5772 0.1996 Assay on FARA : (0-370 µl 1-95 µl 180 µl of Reagent 1 is mixed with 2 µl of sample and absorbance is measured at 675 nm. The absorbance from a water blank is substracted from sample absorbance and this change in absorbance is proportional to the sample magnesium concentration. SAMPLE A 675 ΔA (sample-blank) BLANK 1.3762 0.42 mmol/l Mg ++ 1.5310 0.1548 0.88 1.6698 0.2936 1.32 1.8039 0.4277 1.73 1.9118 0.5356 2.11 2.0399 0.6637

Claims: Claims for the following Contracting States : BE, CH, LI, DE, FR, GB, IT, NL A reagent composition useful for the measurement of magnesium in an analytical sample comprising chlorophosphonazo III and a chelating agent selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid or 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid. The composition of claim 1 wherein the chelating agent is ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid. The composition of claim 2 containing about 0.01. to 1.0 mM chlorophosphonazo III and 0.1-100 mM ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid. The composition of claim 3 additionally containing one or more buffers, detergents, anti-microbials or anti-foam agents. The composition of claim 4 wherein the buffers are tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, imidazole, and 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid; the anti-microbials are sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim; the detergent is polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate; and the anti-foam agent is a silicon based defoaming agent. The composition of claim 5 comprising 10-600 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 0.1-500 mM imidazole, 0.01-10 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 1-40 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim and 0.01-10 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The composition of claim 6 comprising 1-5 wt.-%, tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 50-300 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 0.1-2.0 mM imidazole, 0.1-10 mM ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, 0.1-1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim, 0.05-0.30 mM chlorophosphonazo III and 0.01-1.0 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The composition of claim 7 comprising about 3 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 50 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 145 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 10 mM ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, 1.0 mM imidazole, 0.1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 5 µg/ml trimethoprim, 0.200 mM chlorophosphonazo III, and 0.075 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. A reagent composition useful for the measurement of magnesium in an analytical sample comprising 1-500 mM ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid, 10-600 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 0.1-500 mM imidazole, 0.01-10 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 1-40 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim and 0.01-10 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The composition of claim 9 comprising about 1-5 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 50-300 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 10-25 mM ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid, 0.1-2.0 mM imidazole, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim, 0.1-1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, and 0.01-1.0 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The composition of claim 10 comprising about 3 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 50 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 100 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 16 mM ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid, 1.0 mM imidazole, 0.1 wt.-% polyoxyethlyene sorbitan monolaurate, 5 µg/ml trimethoprim and 0.075 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. A reagent composition useful for the concurrent determination of calcium and magnesium in an analytical sample comprising 0.01-1.0 mM chlorophosphonazo III, 10-600 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 0.1-500 mM imidazole, 0.01-10 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 1-40 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim and 0.01-10 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The composition of claim 12 comprising 0.05-0.3 mM chlorophosphonazo III, 1-5 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 50-300 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 0.1-2.0 mM imidazole, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim, 0.1-1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, and 0.01-1 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The composition of claim 12 comprising about 3 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 50 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 145 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 1.0 mM imidazole, 0.1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 5 µg/ml trimethoprim, 0.200 mM chlorophosphonazo III and 0.075 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. A reagent composition useful for the concurrent determination of calcium and magnesium in an analytical sample comprising about 3 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 5 µg/ml trimethoprim, 50 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 100 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 1.0 mM imidazole, 60 mM ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, 0.1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate and 0.075 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. A reagent composition useful for the concurrent determination of calcium and magnesium in an analytical sample comprising about 3 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 5 µg/ml trimethoprim, 50 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 100 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 1.0 mM imidazole, 32 mM ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid, 0.1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate and 0.075 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. A method for the determination of magnesium in an analytical sample comprising the steps of: a) mixing the sample with a reagent composition according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, b) measuring the absorbance of the sample, c) adding a second reagent composition according to any one of the claims 9 to 11 to the reaction mixture, d) measuring the absorbance of the sample, whereby the difference in absorbance is proportional to the quantity of magnesium in the sample. The method of claim 17 wherein 100 to 270 µl of the reagent composition according to any one of the claims 1 to 8 is mixed with 2 to 95 µl sample in the first cycle and the absorbance read at 550 nm, after which 30 to 90 µl of the reagent composition according to any one of the claims 9 to 11 is added and after 0.5 to 3 minutes a second absorbance reading made at 550 nm; whereby the difference in absorbance is proportional to the concentration of magnesium in the sample. The method of claim 18 wherein 180 µl of the reagent composition according to any one of the claims 1 to 8 is mixed with 4.5 µl sample and the absorbance read at 550 nm; after which 60 µl of the reagent composition according to any one of the claims 9 to 11 is added and after about 3 minutes the absorbance is read at 550 nm; whereby the difference in absorbance is proportional to the concentration of magnesium in the sample. A method for the determination of calcium and magnesium in an analytical sample comprising the steps of: a) mixing the sample with the reagent composition according to any one of the claims 12 to 14, b) measuring the absorbance of the sample, c) adding a reagent composition comprising ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid and one or more buffers, detergents, anti-microbials or anti-foam agents and no ethylene diamine-tetraaectic acid, d) measuring the absorbance of the sample, e) adding the reagent composition according to claim 9 or 16, f) measuring the absorbance of the sample, whereby the difference in absorbance measured in steps (d) and (b) is proportional to the quantity of calcium in the sample and the difference in absorbance measured in steps (f) and (d) is proportional to the quantity of magnesium in the sample. The method of claim 20 wherein in step c) the reagent composition according to claim 15 is added. The method of claim 20 or 21 wherein 30 to 225 µl of the reagent composition according to any one of the claims 12 to 14 is mixed with 2 to 95 µl sample and the absorbance read at 675 nm, after which 5 to 40 µl of the reagent composition comprising ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid and one or more buffers, detergents, anti-microbials or anti-foam agents and no ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid or the reagent composition according to claim 15 is added and the absorbance read at 675 nm, after which 5 to 40 µl of the reagent composition according to claim 9 or 16 is added and the absorbance read at 675 nm. The method of claim 22 wherein about 180 µl of the reagent composition according to any one of the claims 12 to 14 is mixed with 2 µl sample and the absorbance read at 675 nm, after which 30 µl of the reagent composition comprising ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid and one or more buffers, detergents, anti-microbials or anti-foam agents and no ethylene diamine-tetraaectic acid or the reagent composition according to claim 15 is added and the absorbance read at 675 nm, after which 30 µl of the reagent composition according to claim 9 or 16 is added and the absorbance read at 675 nm. A method for the determination of magnesium in an analytical sample comprising the steps of: a) mixing the sample with a reagent composition according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, b) measuring the absorbance of the sample, and c) measuring the absorbance of a water blank, whereby the difference in absorbance is proportional to the quantity of magnesium in the sample. The method of claim 17, 20 or 24 wherein the analytical sample is serum, plasma, or urine. The method of claim 25 wherein the absorbance is read at 550 nm or 675 nm. A diagnostic test kit useful for the measurement of magnesium in an analytical sample comprising: a) a container containing the reagent composition according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, and b) a container containing the reagent composition according to any one of the claims 9 to 11. A diagnostic test kit useful for the measurement of calcium and magnesium in an analytical sample comprising: a) a container containing the reagent composition according to any one of the claims 12 to 14, b) a container containing the reagent composition comprising ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid and one or more buffers, detergents, anti-microbials or anti-foam agents and no ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid or a reagent composition according to claim 15, and c) a container containing the reagent composition according to claim 9 or 16. Claims for the following Contracting State : ES A method for the determination of magnesium in an analytical sample comprising the steps of: a) mixing the sample with a first reagent comprising chlorophosphonazo III and a chelating agent selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid or 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, b) measuring the absorbance of the sample, c) adding a second reagent comprising a reagent comprising 1-500 mM ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid, 10-600 mM 2-.{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, H 0.1-500 mM imidazole, 0.01-10 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 1-40 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim and 0.01-10 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent, d) measuring the absorbance of the sample, whereby the difference in absorbance is proportional to the quantity of magnesium in the sample. The method of claim 1 wherein the chelating agent is ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the first reagent additionally contains one or more buffers, detergents, anti-microbials or anti-foam agents. The method of claim 3 wherein the buffers are tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, imidazole, and 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid; the anti-microbials are sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim; the detergent is polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate; and the anti-foam agent is a silicon based defoaming agent. The method of claim 4 wherein the first reagent comprises 10-600 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 0.1-500 mM imidazole, 0.01-10 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 1-40 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim and 0.01-10 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The method of claim 5 wherein the first reagent comprises 1-5 wt.-%, tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 50-300 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulonic acid, 0.1-2.0 mM imidazole, 0.1-10 mM ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, 0.1-1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim, 0.05-0.30 mM chlorophosphonazo III and 0.01-1.0 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The method of claim 6 wherein the first reagent comprises about 3 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 50 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 145 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 10 mM ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, 1.0 mM imidazole, 0.1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 5 µg/ml trimethoprim, 0.200 mM chlorophosphonazo III, and 0.075 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The method of any one of the claims 1 to 7 wherein the second reagent comprises about 1-5 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 50-300 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 10-25 mM ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid, 0.1-2.0 mM imidazole, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim, 0.1-1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, and 0.01-1.0 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The method of claim 8 wherein the second reagent comprises about 3 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 50 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 100 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 16 mM ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid, 1.0 mM imidazole, 0.1 wt.-% polyoxyethlyene sorbitan monolaurate, 5 µg/ml trimethoprim and 0.075 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The method of any one of the claims 1 to 9 wherein 100 to 270 µl of the first reagent is mixed with 2 to 95 µl sample in the first cycle and the absorbance read at 550 nm, after which 30 to 90 µl of the second reagent is added and after 0.5 to 3 minutes a second absorbance reading made at 550 nm; whereby the difference in absorbance is proportional to the concentration of magnesium in the sample. The method of claim 10 wherein 180 µl of the first reagent is mixed with 4.5 µl sample and the absorbance read at 550 nm; after which 60 µl of the second reagent is added and after about 3 minutes the absorbance is read at 550 nm; whereby the difference in absorbance is proportional to the concentration of magnesium in the sample. A method for the determination of calcium and magnesium in an analytical sample comprising the steps of: a) mixing the sample with a first reagent comprising 0.01-1.0 mM chloropho sphonazo III, 10-600 mM 2- {[tris(hydroxymethyl )methyl]amino}ethanesulfonic acid, 0.1-500 mM imidazole, 0.01-10 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 1-40 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim and 0.01-10 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent, b) measuring the absorbance of the sample, c) adding a seond reagent comprising ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid and one or more buffers, detergents, anti-microbials or anti-foam agents and no ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid, d) measuring the absorbance of the sample e) adding a third reagent comprising 1-40 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 10-600 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 1-500 mM ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid, 0.1-500 mM imidazole, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim, 0.01-10 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate and 0.01-1.0 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent, f) measuring the absorbance of the sample, whereby the difference in absorbance measured in steps (d) and (b) is proportional to the quantity of calcium in the sample and the difference in absorbance in steps (f) and (d) is proportional to the quantity of magnesium in the sample. The method of claim 12 wherein the first reagent comprises 0.05-0.3 mM chlorophosphonazo III, 1-5 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 50-300 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 0.1-2.0 mM imidazole, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim, 0.1-1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, and 0.01-1 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The method of claim 12 wherein the first reagent comprises about 3 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 50 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 145 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 1.0 mM imidazole, 0.1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 5 µg/ml trimethoprim, 0.200 mM chlorophosphonazo III and 0.075 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The method of any one of the claims 12 to 14 wherein the second reagent comprises about 3 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 5 µg/ml trimethoprim, 50 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 100 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 1.0 mM imidazole, 60 mM ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, 0.1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate and 0.075 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The method of any one of the claims 12 to 15 wherein the third reagent comprises about 3 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 5 µg/ml trimethoprim, 50 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 100 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 1.0 mM imidazole, 32 mM ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid, 0.1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate and 0.075 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The method of any one of the claims 12 to 16 wherein 30 to 225 µl of the reagent of step a) is mixed with 2 to 95 µl sample and the absorbance read at 675 nm, after which 5 to 40 µl of the reagent of step c) is added and the absorbance read at 675 nm, after which 5 to 40 µl of the reagent of step e) is added and the absorbance read at 675 nm. The method of any one of the claims 12 to 16 wherein 180 µl of the reagent of step a) is mixed with 2 µl sample and the absorbance read at 675 nm, after which 30 µl of the reagent of step c) is added and the absorbance read at 675 nm, after which 30 µl of the reagent of step e) is added and the absorbance read at 675 nm. A method for the determination of magnesium in an analytical sample comprising the steps of: a) mixing the sample with a reagent comprising chlorophosphonazo III and a chelating agent selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol-bis(2-amionethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid or 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, b) measuring the absorbance of the sample, and c) measuring the absorbance of a water blank, whereby the difference in absorbance is proportional to the quantity of magnesium in the sample. The method of claim 19 wherein the chelating agent is ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid. The method of claim 19 or 20 wherein the reagent additonally contains one or more buffers, detergents, anti-microbials or anti-foam agents. The method of claim 21 wherein the buffers are tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, imidazole, and 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)-methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid; the anti-microbials are sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim; the detergent is polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate; and the anti-foam agent is a silicon based defoaming agent. The method of claim 22 wherein the reagent comprises 10-600 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)-methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 0.1-500 mM imidazole, 0.01-10 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 1-40 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim and 0.01-10 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The method of claim 23 wherein the reagent comprises 1-5 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 50-300 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 0.1-2.0 mM imidazole, 0.1-10 mM ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, 0.1-1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 10-100 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 1-10 µg/ml trimethoprim, 0.05-0.30 mM chlorophosphonazo III and 0.01-1.0 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The method of claim 24 wherein the reagent comprises about 3 wt.-% tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 50 µg/ml sulfamethoxazole, 145 mM 2-{[tris(hydroxymethyl)-methyl]amino}-ethanesulfonic acid, 10 mM ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N' ,N'-tetraacetic acid, 1.0 mM imidazole, 0.1 wt.-% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, 5 µg/ml trimethoprim, 0.200 mM chlorophosphonazo III, and 0.075 wt.-% of a silicon based defoaming agent. The method of claims 1, 12 or 19 wherein the analytical sample is serum, plasma, or urine. The method of claim 26 wherein the absorbance is read at 550 nm or 675 nm.

Inventors: DENTON JAMES BRADLEY, DIXON DIANE JEAN, KAUFMAN RICHARD ALLEN, DENTON, JAMES BRADLEY, DIXON, DIANE JEAN, KAUFMAN, RICHARD ALLEN
Applicants: HOFFMANN LA ROCHE, F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG
Application year: 1990
Main classification: G01N31
IPC codes: G01N33, G01N31