IN-SITU PHOTOCHEMICAL SPECTROFLUOROMETRIC DETECTION OF 9,10-ANTHRAQUINONE-LABELED BOVINE SERUM-ALBUMIN

Bovine serum albumin (BSA) labeled with 9,10-anthraquinone (AQ) shows a greatly enhanced photochemical fluorimetric activity compared with t hat of free AQ. The spectral characteristics of the photoreduction pro duct of conjugated AQ were investigated and large blue shifts in the e xcitation and emission bands compared with those of free AQ were obser ved. The enhancement in the photochemical reactivity can be employed f or sensitive detection of labeled BSA by a simple in-situ photochemica l kinetic fluorimetric method. The kinetic behavior of the photochemic al reaction and the effects of some experimental conditions were inves tigated. The calibration graph was linear over the range 0-1.8 x 10(-7 ) M BSA. The detection limit was 1.2 x 10(-10) M BSA and the relative standard deviation was 2.24% for 1.42 x 10(-8) M BSA (n = 7). (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.