Micro-channel chemiluminescence analysis using a peroxyoxalate reaction that works through liquid-liquid interface...

An oxalate reagent-hydrogen peroxide-fluorescent compound chemiluminescence reaction, i.e., peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence, was introduced into micro-channel chemiluminescence analysis (MCCLA) to establish the concept of MCCLA through the direct observation of fluorescence and chemiluminescence using a fluorescence microscope-CCD camera and a microscope-CCD camera. It was confirmed from visual data that chemiluminescence in the MCCLA generated through the liquid-liquid interface collapsed during the course of molecular diffusion in the micro-channel. In addition, the visual data of chemiluminescence were transformed to line drawings on a computer to obtain chemiluminescence profiles. The chemiluminescence profiles were examined in detail at various flow rates and detection points; the relationship between the residence times and the chemiluminescence peak heights, or areas in the profiles, was easily represented as one smoothly changing reaction curve. Furthermore, the fluorescent compounds were detected with high sensitivity and good reproducibility in MCCLA by turning the syringe pumps on and off to produce determinable chemiluminescence signals; a photomultiplier tube was used as a detector. The chemiluminescence intensities in the signals of erythrosine, rhodamine B, Rose Bengal, fluorescein isothiocyanate, and eosin Y were examined; their intensities increased in this order, and eosin Y responded over the range of 1 x 10(-9) - 1 x 10(-6) M with a detection limit of 1 x 10(-9) M (S/N = 3). Introducing of the peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence reaction into MCCLA can extend the analysis system to the analysis of various types of sample and applications incorporating fluorescence labeling techniques.