Chemistry behind Serum Albumin: A Review
Kajal, Anu Radha
Abstract
This review informs about the chemical composition of plasma proteins majorly albumin and globulin. Blood proteins, also called plasma proteins, are found in blood plasma. While, serum proteins are present in the human body in very high quantities for other proteins. Hundreds of proteins are dissolved in the plasma but only two major protein groups are present i.e. Albumin and Globulin. Albumin is a very important component (55% of blood proteins) and it is made by the liver. There is an immediate correlation between albumin turnover and body size. Globulin is formed from different proteins called alpha, beta, and gamma types (38% of blood proteins) but a number of the globulins are mainly made by the liver, while others are made by the immune system. The average serum protein level existing in the human body is 6 to 8g/dl but 3.5 to 5.0g/dl is making up only albumin and globulin makes up 2/3gl. Different aspects of the proteins are discussed below.