BARIUM CHLORIDE SOLUTION, 10% w/v

Barium Chloride Solution 10% w/v is used for the determination of bile pigments in urine during routine urine analysis. It forms an important part of the Harrison spot test, which is used to detect bilirubin in urine.
The test is based on the production of a barium sulphate precipitate. Upon addition of Barium Chloride Solution to urine, it interacts with sulphate radicals to form barium sulphate. If bile pigments are there, bilirubin is adsorbed on the precipitated barium sulphate. The precipitate is subsequently processed with Fouchet’s reagent where the yellow bilirubin is oxidized by ferric chloride in the presence of trichloroacetic acid. This results in a typical green to blue green color in the presence of bile pigments.
The method is so sensitive that it can measure bilirubin concentrations of approximately 0.005–0.1 mg/dL. However, bilirubin levels below 0.005 mg/dL may go undetected and lead to false negative results.
The reagent has a clear, colourless appearance and is intended for the general testing in the laboratory. Appropriate specimen handling and established laboratory procedures should be followed to ensure accurate interpretation.

Used in the Harrison spot test for detecting urinary bile pigments through precipitation of barium sulphate.