The main action of SPS (Sodium Polyanethole Sulfonate) is to act as an anticoagulant. It also exhibits several other important actions.
SPS, originally introduced as 'Liquoid' in the early 1930s, has more functions than just preventing blood from clotting. It also:
- Inhibits the activity of complement.
- Inhibits the activity of lysozyme present in blood.
- Inhibits phagocytosis (the process where cells engulf and destroy bacteria and other particles).
- Inactivates some aminoglycoside antibiotics.
Therefore, while SPS has a range of effects, its primary and most well-known function is its anticoagulant property, which makes it useful in blood culture collection.
