GEL-BASED INDO-1 PROBE FOR MONITORING CALCIUM(II) IONS

This work describes the development of a new gel-based Indo-1 (GBI) fl uorescent probe for use in detection of Ca2+. The carbodiimide-binding procedure, which allows the formation of an amide bond between the ar omatic carboxylic group of Indo-1 and an amino group of the gel has be en selected for this study. In this work, agarose gel, which has an am ino terminal group with a six-atom hydrophilic spacer arm, has been ch osen for hosting Indo-1. A phase-transfer catalyst was used to allow e fficient diffusion of metalions into the GBI probe. The results indica te that the GBI probe is an efficient and practical system that has th e required sensitivity to detect Ca2+ ions in biological fluids for ro utine monitoring.