Determination of heparin using terbium-danofloxacin as a luminescent probe

Abstract

A new spectrofluorimetric method is described for the determination of trace amounts of heparin (Hep) using terbiumdanofloxacin (Tb3+-Dano) as a fluorescent probe. Hep can enhance the fluorescence intensity of the Tb3+-Dano complex at 545 nm, and the enhanced fluorescence intensity of the Tb3+ ion is proportional to the concentration of Hep. Optimum conditions for the determination of Hep are: pH 7.2, [Tb3+] = 4.0 center dot 10(-5) mol/l, and [Dano] =2.5 center dot 10(-5) mol/l. A dynamic range for the determination of Hep is 0.1-1.5 mu g/ml with a detection limit (S/N = 3) of 24.62 ng/ml. The proposed method is simple, practical, and relatively free from interferences.