Fluorescence detection of carbon-centered radicals in aqueous solution

Free Radic Res Commun. 1990;10(1-2):109-17. doi: 10.3109/10715769009145940.

Abstract

A simple, highly sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of arrays of carbon-centered radicals in aqueous systems is described. Radicals are efficiently trapped by an amino-nitroxide to form stable products which are then reacted with fluorescamine to produce highly fluorescent adducts. The adducts are easily separated by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The detection limit for individual radical adducts (0.5 to 2 nM) is two to three orders of magnitude lower than those of current methods employing electron paramagnetic resonance detection. Results on the photolysis of ketones and alpha-keto acids demonstrate the potential of this technique. This approach should be widely applicable to the study of radical processes in biological and chemical systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Chemistry
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Free Radicals*
  • Keto Acids / analysis
  • Ketones / analysis
  • Nitroso Compounds / analysis
  • Photochemistry
  • Solutions
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • Spin Labels*

Substances

  • Free Radicals
  • Keto Acids
  • Ketones
  • Nitroso Compounds
  • Solutions
  • Spin Labels