Method and device for carbonyl detection and quantitation

Abstract

Fluorescence chromophores such as phenylene diamine derivatives can undergo oxidative coupling and polymerization to form optical, colorimetric and fluorogenic, multimers and polymers. The presence of carbonyl containing moieties such as aldehydes and ketones under favorable environmental conditions can initiate, catalyze, accelerate and modulate this reaction which in turn provides a mechanism for the detection and quantitation of such moieties. Selected phenylene diamine derivatives can be used for the detection and quantitation of aldehyde and ketones via measurement of the reaction and the associated spectroscopic transformation. In particular, the use of meta-phenylene diamine (rnPDA) and related compounds for aldehyde detection and quantitation is described. The method provides a convenient means for monitoring aldehyde and ketone levels without use of separation steps. The method is applicable to kinetic and quasi-endpoint detection assay formats.

1 - 56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . A solution containing an alcohol, a salt, a surfactant, a reactive agent, and a carbonyl containing moiety. 
     
     
         58 . The solution of  claim 57 , wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of R-OH, where R is a straight or branched chain aliphatic group, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         59 . The solution of  claim 57 , wherein the alcohol is ethanol. 
     
     
         60 . The solution of  claim 57 , wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of NaCl, LiCl, KCl, sulfates, phosphates, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         61 . The solution of  claim 57 , wherein the concentration of the salt ranges from 5 mM to 200 nM. 
     
     
         62 . The solution of  claim 57 , wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium decyl sulfate, sodium tetradecyl sulfate, Standapol ES-1, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         63 . The solution of  claim 57 , wherein the concentration of the surfactant ranges from 0.05% to 0.4%. 
     
     
         64 . The solution of  claim 57 , wherein the reactive agent is a fluorescent hydrazine or aminooxy compound. 
     
     
         65 . A solution comprising the product of a reactive agent and a carbonyl containing moiety, wherein the solution is substantially precipitate free. 
     
     
         66 . A device comprising:
 (a) a breath chamber having a substrate, the substrate supporting a carbonyl containing moiety from an animal's breath; and   (b) a fluid chamber having an aqueous solution comprising an alcohol, a salt, a surfactant, and a buffer.   
     
     
         67 . The device of  claim 66 , wherein the carbonyl containing moiety is selected from the group consisting of an aldehydes, ketones, carboxcylic acids, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         68 . The device of  claim 66 , wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of film, paper, nonwoven web, knitted fabric, woven fabric, foam, and glass. 
     
     
         69 . The device of  claim 66 , wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides, polyether sulfone, polyethylene, nylon, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyester, polypropylene, silica, inorganic materials, deactivated alumina, diatomaceous earth, MgSO4, porous gels, and polymeric films. 
     
     
         70 . The device of  claim 66 , wherein the buffer is selected from the group consisting of borate buffer, phosphate buffer, citrate buffer, organic buffer, and tris(hydroxymethyl) aminoethane (TRIS) buffer. 
     
     
         71 . The device of  claim 66 , wherein the buffer concentration ranges from 25 mM to 200 mM. 
     
     
         72 . The device of  claim 66 , wherein the aqueous solution is mildly acidic. 
     
     
         73 . The device of  claim 66 , wherein the pH of the aqueous solution ranges from 2 to 4.5. 
     
     
         74 . The device of  claim 66 , wherein the solution has a pH of about 2.5. 
     
     
         75 . The device of  claim 66 , wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of R-OH, where R is a straight or branched chain aliphatic group, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         76 . The device of  claim 66 , wherein the alcohol is ethanol. 
     
     
         77 . The device of  claim 66 , wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of NaCl, LiCl, KCl, sulfates, phosphates, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         78 . The device of  claim 66 , wherein the concentration of the salt ranges from 5 mM to 200 nM. 
     
     
         79 . The device of  claim 66 , wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium decyl sulfate, sodium tetradecyl sulfate, Standapol ES-1, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         80 . The device of  claim 66 , wherein the concentration of the surfactant ranges from 0.05% to 0.4%. 
     
     
         81 . The device of  claim 66 , wherein the solution further comprises a reactive agent. 
     
     
         82 . The device of  claim 81 , wherein the reactive agent is a fluorescent hydrazine or aminooxy compound. 
     
     
         83 . A device comprising:
 (a) a substrate having an active reactive capture agent incorporated therein; and   (b) an aqueous solution comprising an alcohol, a salt, a surfactant, and a buffer.