Comparison of polystyrene versus cycloolefin microplates in absorbance measurements in the UV/VIS region of the spectrum

Background and aims: Polystyrene microplates are generally used to specify the absorption in the visible light region of the spectrum. However, they are capable of absorption in the ultraviolet (UV) range of the spectrum while they are not suitable for UV spectroscopy analysis. This study aimed to compare polystyrene and cycloolefin microplates for their background absorbance characteristics in the UV/ VIS region of the spectrum. Methods: Background absorbance of the mentioned microplates was measured using two different spectrophotometers and four various samples. Results: The analysis of our results verified the advantage of applying cycloolefin microplate over polystyrene one for absorbance measurements in the UV range of the spectrum. Conclusion: In general, suitable microplate selection is a critical factor in absorbance measurements, especially in the UV portion of the spectrum.