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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #140089
Title: IMPACT OF FILTER PAPER ON FLUORESCENCE MEASUREMENTS OF BUFFERED SALINE FILTRATES

Author
item DANIELSON, TIMOTHY - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV
item RAYSON, GARY - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV
item Anderson, Dean
item Estell, Richard - Rick
item Frederickson, Eddie
item GREEN, BARBARA - USDA-JER INTERN

Submitted to: Talanta
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/22/2002
Publication Date: 3/1/2003
Citation: Danielson, T.L., Rayson, G.D., Anderson, D.M., Estell, R.E., Fredrickson, E.L., Green, B.S. 2003. Impact of filter paper on fluorescence measurements of buffered saline filtrates. Talanta. 59:601-604.

Interpretive Summary: An as yet unidentified contaminant has been found to show up in phosphate buffered saline that has been passed through a particular brand of commonly used filter paper. Prior to adding ground plant material to the buffered saline solutions, in an attempt to extract fluorophores, a spectral signature at 440 nm was found in control acid, alkaline and neutral phosphate buffered saline filtrates excited at 365 nm. This finding calls into question the current sample preparation protocol until it can be determined what the contaminant is and how it affects fluorometry resolution in accurately identifying plant material.

Technical Abstract: A fluorescent contaminate has been observed in phosphate buffered saline filtrates using a commercially available filter paper. The fluorescence of this material was observed to exhibit a maximum signal at 440.0 nm when excited at 365 nm. This could have significant implications in the design and implementation of sample processing protocols when using fluorescence detection of trace components.