• Is a negative acute phase protein.
• If  a reference value of 35 to 45 g / l.
• Responsible for 80% of the colloid osmotic pressure and comprises 50-60% of the total plasma protein.
• Is a transport protein for fatty acids, bilirubin and some hormones.
• Is synthesized in the liver, approximately 200 mg / kg / day, which is less than 5% of the total body stores. The synthesis capacity of the liver can increase 2-3 times. The body stock includes approximately 3.5-5.0 g / kg body weight and 35-40% of this is intravascular.
• Has a half life of 20 days.
• In an albumin of 34 g / l or less is an inflammatory response in the body (often with a rapid increase in CRP).

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In the 19th century the interest in the ‘aqueous fraction “of blood rapidly. This fraction was a source for the isolation of new components. In 1888 the German scientist Hofmeister published on the behavior and the solubility of blood proteins. Using ammonium sulphate did he distinguish between groups that he “albumin” and “globulins” called. His so-called principle of “differential precipitation” as separation technique is still used. During the Second World War in Boston the physical chemist Edwin Cohn a process to separate plasma into separate groups. Plasma proteins such as albumin could be obtained in concentrated form. While several researchers later adjustments in process conditions are introduced, they work in many places even as described by cohn. After the war, the development was rapid. In 1964 the U.S. Judith Pool discovered by chance that when slowly thawing frozen plasma at a temperature just above freezing, there is a precipitate forms which enhanced coagulation factor VIII is present. The discovery of this so-called Cryoprecipitate as a method for obtaining factor VIII was a breakthrough for the treatment of patients with blood clotting disease Haemophilia A. Meanwhile, a large number of important plasma proteins are isolated and used as medicine (see figure below).

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