Abstract: A method for producing a stable polymerized hemoglobin blood-substitute from blood. The method of this invention includes contacting a polymerized hemoglobin solution with a hydroxyapatite HPLC column and recovering the substantially pure polymerized hemoglobin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preserving the stability of a hemoglobin blood substitute comprising maintaining the hemoglobin blood substitute in an atmosphere substantially free of oxygen. The invention also involves a method for producing a stable polymerized hemoglobin blood-substitute from blood. The method of this invention includes mixing blood with an anticoagulent to form a blood solution, washing the red blood cells in the blood solution and then separating the washed red blood cells from the white blood cells. This method also includes disrupting the red blood cells to release hemoglobin and form a hemoglobin solution, which is then treated by high performance liquid chromatography to form a hemoglobin eluate. The hemoglobin eluate is then deoxygenated, contacted with a first sulfhydryl compound to form an oxidation-stabilized deoxygenated hemoglobin solution, and mixed with a cross-linking agent to form a polymerization reaction mixture, which is then polymerized.