New method for adding reagents: an application of caged molecules to analytical chemistry Original Research Article

The main aim is to describe a novel application of photolabile precursors, called caged molecules, to analytical chemistry. We have devised a method for adding reagents in a vial containing a sample by photo-irradiation. Results for caged 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid inactivated by a 4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrobenzyl group, are presented as an application of a caged reagent to fluorimetry used for the assay of peroxidase. The new method has the following merits, which have never been obtained by conventional pipette-based techniques. (1) Uniform addition without stirring or mixing is obtained. (2) The addition time is controllable. (3) Trace amounts of reagents are added precisely and reproducibly.