Enhanced potential for metabolic studies using narrow-band sensitized FT-IR microspectroscopy

The ability to detect and measure the relative concentration of deuterated substance found in tissue specimens is enhanced by adding a custom made-to-order 50 microm narrow MCT band that has an optimized response profile for the CD, ND and OH absorption bands. In the short range of interest it has a 2:1 signal advantage over the stock MCT detector and the steep cut off before the finger print region significantly diminishing the noise. The result is that levels of specific deuterated compounds experimentally administered to biological systems and dispersed by the host organism can be detected and measured The custom small target size narrow-band detector with increased signal and reduced noise enhances the potential for the use of FT-IR microspectoscopy as a novel way to study metabolism without the use of radioactive materials.