Chemi-luminescent visualization system for evaluation of alcohol metabolism based on transdermal emission of gaseous ethanol

A 2-dimensional visualization system for gaseous ethanol was constructed and tested in visualization of transdermal alcohol. This visualization system measures ethanol concentrations as intensities of chemiluminescence (CL) by luminol reaction induced by alcohol oxidase and horseradish peroxidase-luminol-hydrogen peroxide system. Conversion of ethanol distribution and concentration to 2-dimensional CL was conducted on an enzyme-immobilized mesh which contained luminol solution. In order to visualize ethanol emission from palm skin, which concentration is typically at sub ppm-level. Thus, luminol HG was employed as high-purity luminol solution in the visualization system. The detection limit was improved by this solution. Owing to high sensitivity, transdermal ethanol was successfully visualized and the intensity of each pixel was the reflection of ethanol concentrations. Therefore, the system was sufficiency useful for assessment of ethanol measurement of the palmar skin.