Multivariate data analysis of fluorescence signals from biological aerosols

This paper describes the use of multivariate data analysis of multiwaveleng th fluorescence measurements of biological aerosols collected by an air to liquid cyclone sampler. The enriched aerosol suspension was analyzed in a f low cell by a commercial spectrofluorometer at eight different wavelength c ombinations. The data were obtained from the disseminations of biological s imulants at the 6th Joint Field Trials at Defence Research Establishment Su ffield, Ralston, Alberta, Canada. The measurement concept was to use intrin sic biological fluorescence to distinguish between the different simulants as well as to distinguish them from interfering particles such as smoke and dust. Fluorescence data were analyzed using principal component analysis. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.