A Fluorometer is a device that allows the analysis, identification and quantification of chemical substances with molecules susceptible to fluorescence, using fluorescence spectrophotometry or fluorometry.
We can say that a fluorometer is a special type of optical device commonly used in laboratory environments, which is capable of measuring the fluorescent quality of biological or mineral samples. Fluorescence occurs when a substance emits visible light and appears to glow after it has been exposed to some type of radiation, either single or high energy radiation such as X-ray visible light. This property is similar to phosphorescence, which is an emission of low temperature light from an accumulation of energy or the radiation of a substance.
The design of any typical fluorometer has several key components. It has an input source for ordinary visible light, and this light passes through an excitation filter that allows only specific wavelengths of impacts in which a sample cell of the material was studied. When this material, either organic or inorganic, is bombarded by these controlled wavelengths of light, it emits fluorescence, emitting characteristic light of its own that is then passed through an emission filter. The emissions are read by a light detector that produces a reading for the observer to know how the sample is reacting and what its content is.
Although the fluorometer detection is based on the universal fundamental principles of fluorescence, there are several unique applications and adaptations for the devices. One of the main uses of fluorometers is that they are used to measure the fluorescence of chlorophyll and thus investigate the physiology of plants, although currently they can have many applications.
What is fluorescence?
Fluorescence is a term that was first used in the year 1852 by George Gabriel Stokes. It is a particular type of luminescence that characterizes substances that are capable of absorbing energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation and then emit part of that energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation of different wavelength.
The typical fluorescence mechanism involves three sequential steps, called respectively absorption (1), non-radiative dissipation (2) and emission (3). The phenomenon of fluorescence has many practical applications, among which are for example analysis in mineralogy, gemology, chemical sensors (fluorescent spectroscopy), pigments and inks, biological detectors and fluorescent lamps.
What is the fluorescence spectrometry based on?
Fluorescence spectrometry (also called fluorometry or spectrofluorimetry) is a type of electromagnetic spectroscopy that analyzes the fluorescence of a sample. It involves using a beam of light, usually ultraviolet light, which excites the electrons in the molecules of certain compounds and causes them to emit light of lower energy, usually visible light (though not necessarily). A complementary technique is absorption spectrometry. The devices that measure fluorescence are called fluorometers or fluorometers. Fluorescence spectrometry is used in biochemical, medical, chemical and research analyzes of organic compounds.
What is the most recent application of fluorometers?
Currently one of the most modern applications of fluorometry is the quantification of nucleic acids, through fluorometers, which measure concentrations of DNA, RNA, and proteins with high precision and sensitivity. It is based on the use of fluorophores that are interspersed specifically between the molecules of interest, thus minimizing the effects of contaminants. The accuracy of the measurements even at low concentrations (effective range of 5 ng to 1 ug) makes this equipment an ideal tool for applications such as real-time PCR and massive sequencing.
In Kalstein we present the model fluorometer YR412-A. This is a dual channel fluorometer and provides high sensitivity fluorescent detection to quantify nucleic acids and proteins. That’s why we invite you to take a look HERE
