Metal ion complexes of EDTA as solutes for density gradient ultracentrifugation: influence of metal ions.

In the study reported here, we study the nature of the metal ion complexes of EDTA as solute systems for analysis of lipoproteins by density gradient ultracentrifugation (DGU) by varying both the complexing metal ion and the counterion. Specifically, the sodium and cesium salts of complexes of Bi/EDTA, Pb/EDTA, Cd/EDTA, Fe/EDTA, and Cu/EDTA were chosen for this study. We show that useful gradients can be formed within a few hours beginning with a homogeneous solution.