Enhanced Photoactivated Luminescence of Selected Polychlorinated Biphenyl Congeners and Aroclor Mixtures

Fluorescence studies of selected polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and Aroclor mixtures were conducted using enhanced photoactivated luminescence. Diphenylamine (DPA) was used as a photoactivator. DPA reacts with PCBs to form a fluorescent photoproduct under UV activation. The sensitivities of fluorescence detection using three different solid substrates were compared. Background studies of the substrates and DPA blanks were also conducted to determine the substrate with the best detection characteristics for enhanced photoactivated fluorescence. It was found that the Envi disk with a glass-fiber mesh and C-18-modified silica provides more analyte access for fluorescence detection, thereby providing best sensitivity. By comparison of the fluorescence from pure PCB congener-DPA complexes, the more coplanar congeners exhibited a red shift in excitation and emission as compared with the ortho-substituted nonplanar congeners. These studies may prove useful in determining trends relating fluorescence intensity and toxicity factors. © 1997 Academic Press.

Duke Scholars

Author Tuan Vo-Dinh Biomedical Engineering