What common anticoagulant is found in the purple/lavender tube?

The purple or lavender tube is commonly known for containing EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) as its anticoagulant. EDTA is particularly effective in preventing blood from clotting by binding calcium ions in the blood, which are crucial for the clotting process. This makes it an ideal choice for hematology tests, such as complete blood counts (CBC), where it’s important to analyze the cellular components of blood without interference from clot formation.

The use of EDTA in this context helps ensure that the blood sample remains in a liquid state for accurate testing, thus providing reliable laboratory results. Its properties make it the standard anticoagulant for a wide variety of clinical tests, especially those involving blood cell components.