Highly-sensitive fluorescence-based detection of catecholamines as stress markers

A study was conducted to demonstrate highly-sensitive fluorescence-based detection of catecholamines as stress markers. A system capable of convenient, rapid, and highly sensitive measurements was developed as a first step toward developing such a catecholamine-based stress assessment system. A novel measurement system was developed, based on fluorescent detection of catecholamines selectively captured on a solid substrate. The surface of the glass substrate was chemically modified with probe molecules^termI that bonded chemically with catecholamines to form a fluorescent complex. Fluorescence in 480 nm region was observed upon irradiation 375 nm light after exposing the detection chip to a solution containing catecholamines.