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Abstract
Background: Inhomogeneous sample distribution in DBS is a problem for accurate quantitative analysis of DBS, and has often been explained by chromatographic effects. Results: We present a model describing formation of inhomogeneous DBS during drying of the spot caused by higher evaporation rates of water at the edge as compared with the center. Color intensity analysis shows that the relative humidity and DBS card position affect the homogeneity of DBS. Conclusion: The so-called ‘coffee-stain effect’ explains the typical distribution pattern of analytes with higher concentrations measured along the edge of DBS as compared with the center. The driving mechanism and potential influencing factors should be considered when addressing the inhomogeneity of DBS in the future.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
This work was founded by the Stockholm County Council project #20130765 and by the European Research Council (ERC) through the Advanced Grant No. 267528. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.
Ethical conduct of research
The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations. In addition, for investigations involving human subjects, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved.