Solvent Effects on the Spectroscopic Properties of Styrylquinolinium Dyes Series

The study on the relationship between the structure and spectroscopic properties of styrylquinolinium dyes were carried out by measuring the electronic visible absorption, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectra of quinoline based hemicyanine dyes. The influence of the solvent on absorption and emission spectra and the solvatochromic properties, observed for both ground and first excited states, for all the dyes were applied for the evaluation of their excited state dipole moments. The ground state dipole moments of dyes under the study were established by applying ab initio calculations. The measured, using solvatochromic methods, excited state dipole moments of tested hemicyanines are in the range from 5.38 to 18.90 D and the change in the dipole moments caused by excitation were found to differ from 1.88 to 6.64 D. It was observed that for all tested dyes the dipole moments of the excited states were higher than those of a ground states. The fluorescence lifetime measurements with picosecond resolution was performed for entire series of hemicyanine dyes possessing different dialkylamino groups attached to the phenyl ring. The average lifetimes of the dye fluorescence, determined from the measured data by multi-order exponential decay curve fitting, were in the range from about 120 to 1200 ps at the fluorescence peak wavelength. The fluorescence lifetime measurements were performed for dyes in ethyl acetate solutions. The time-resolved fluorescence spectra measurements allowed to propose the mechanism of the dyes excited states deactivation.     

Domain Formation in DODAB–Cholesterol Mixed Systems Monitored via Nile Red Anisotropy

The effect of the cholesterol (ch) on liposomes composed of the cationic lipid dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) was assessed by studying both the steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy of the dye Nile Red. The information obtained combined with analysis of the steady-state emission and fluorescence lifetime of Nile Red (NR) for different cholesterol concentrations (5–50%) elucidated the presence of “condensed complexes” and cholesterol-rich domains in these mixed systems. The steady-state fluorescence spectra were decomposed into the sum of two lognormal emissions, emanating from two different states, and the effect of temperature on the anisotropy decay of Nile Red for different cholesterol concentrations was observed. At room temperature, the time-resolved anisotropy decays are indicative of NR being relatively immobile (manifest by a high r _∞ value). At higher temperature, rotational times ca. 1 ns were obtained throughout and a trend in increasing hindrance was seen with increase of Ch content.     

Analysis of Simulated Fluorescence Intensities Decays by a New Maximum Entropy Method Algorithm

A new algorithm for the Maximum Entropy Method (MEM) is proposed for recovering the lifetime distribution in time-resolved fluorescence decays. The procedure is based on seeking the distribution that maximizes the Skilling entropy function subjected to the chi-squared constraint χ ²?~?1 through iterative linear approximations, LU decomposition of the Hessian matrix of the lagrangian problem and the Golden Section Search for backtracking. The accuracy of this algorithm has been investigated through comparisons with simulated fluorescence decays both of narrow and broad lifetime distributions. The proposed approach is capable to analyse datasets of up to 4,096 points with a discretization ranging from 100 to 1,000 lifetimes. A good agreement with non linear fitting estimates has been observed when the method has been applied to multi-exponential decays. Remarkable results have been also obtained for the broad lifetime distributions where the position is recovered with high accuracy and the distribution width is estimated within 3 %. These results indicate that the procedure proposed generates MEM lifetime distributions that can be used to quantify the real heterogeneity of lifetimes in a sample.     

Analysis of fluorescence quenching of pyronin B and pyronin Y by molecular oxygen in aqueous solution

The fluorescence quenching of pyronin B and pyronin Y molecules by molecular oxygen in aqueous solution was studied by using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy techniques. In order to understand the quenching mechanism, fluorescence decays, absorption and fluorescence spectra of the probes were recorded as a function of the oxygen concentration and temperature. The quenching was found to be appreciable and shows positive deviation in the Stern-Volmer representation obtained from the fluorescence intensity ratio. Fluorescence quenching constants (k_q) were calculated from the τ_o/τ vs. [Q] plots having linear correlation and compared with calculated diffusion-controlled rate constants (k_diff) values. Experimental results were in good agreement with the simultaneous dynamic and static quenching model.     

激光诱导叶绿素荧光寿命的测量及其特性分析

提出了一种用于评估植物生长状况及环境监测的激光诱导叶绿素荧光寿命测量方法. 采用波长355 nm的激光作为光源激发叶绿素荧光, 由光电倍增管接收其荧光信号, 由于被测叶绿素荧光衰减函数与激光脉冲、仪器响应函数卷积在一起, 根据它们的特性, 运用时间分辨测量法分别测得叶绿素荧光及其背景信号, 并结合一种新型解卷积算法可分离出真实的叶绿素荧光衰减函数, 从而获取叶绿素的荧光寿命. 测试结果表明: 该方法能够实现叶绿素荧光寿命的高精度实时监测, 对不同叶绿素含量的溶液荧光寿命进行了测试, 证明叶绿素含量与其荧光寿命具有相关性, 并且拟合了叶绿素含量与荧光寿命的标定曲线. 关键词： 荧光寿命 激光诱导荧光 时间分辨测量法 叶绿素含量     

Steady-State and Time-Resolved Spectroscopic Characteristics of Mesoionic Oxazolones Solutions

Three new mesoionic oxazolo[3,2-b]pyridazin-2-one derivatives, in different solutions have been investigated by UV-Vis absorption, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence methods. The effect of substituents on the extension of conjugation of the pi-electrons from mesoionic oxazolone has been evidenced by bathochromic shifts of the absorption and fluorescence maxima positions. The fluorescence decay data could be fitted to single-exponential or double-exponential function. The lifetime values are much higher in aprotic polar solvents and in the case of the derivatives that present an extension of the conjugation of pi-electrons. The properties of the compounds present a solvent dependence, being tested in micellar solutions as potential molecular probe "sensitive" to the environment polarity.     

Spectroscopic investigations of a novel push-pull azo compound embedded in rigid polymer

A new heterocyclic push-pull azo compound-in-poly(methymethacrylate) (PMMA) film has been made by means of the spin-coating method. The spectroscopic properties of the films have been investigated with the steady-state absorption spectra, and steady-state fluorescence and femtosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectra in the first time, which is an important characteristic for the application of the film. The excited singlet (S₁) state lifetimes for trans and cis isomers of the film at room temperature have been measured. The excited triplet (T₁) state lifetime of cis isomer of the film has been obtained. The electronic structure of the film has been explained. The results show that the aggregate state of the azo molecules greatly influences its absorption spectra.     

Adjustable wavelength and lifetime in Mn4+ ion doped phosphate glasses

Phosphate glasses doped with Mn⁴⁺ ion were prepared using high temperature melting method. Under 408 nm excitation, the peak wavelength and lifetime of the fluorescence are related to the Mn⁴⁺ ion concentration. With the increasing of Mn⁴⁺ ion concentration, the fluorescence wavelength varies from 605 nm to 685 nm and the lifetime increases from several microseconds to one millisecond. The fluorescence wavelength is variable and the lifetime is tunable for our materials.     

355 nm纳秒激光作用下荧蒽的时间分辨荧光光谱特征

多环芳烃由于具有三致(致癌、致畸、致突变)特性,其在环境中的检测受到人们广泛关注。利用时间分辨光谱技术,研究了荧蒽乙醇溶液的荧光光谱随延时时间和门宽改变的特性。研究了不同浓度荧蒽的时间分辨荧光光谱特性,以原始浓度的荧蒽为初始溶液,通过逐级稀释的方式,最终将原始溶液稀释16倍,拟合了不同稀释倍数下的荧蒽荧光强度衰减随延时时间变化的动力学曲线,得到了不同浓度荧蒽的拟合荧光寿命。研究结果表明,荧蒽的荧光光谱特性与光谱仪探测器延时时间和门宽宽度密切相关。固定延时时间,随着光谱仪门宽宽度的变化,荧蒽的荧光强度随着门宽的增大而逐渐增强。固定门宽,改变延时时间的过程中,荧蒽的荧光强度随延时时间呈现先增大,后减小的趋势。荧蒽的荧光强度随延时时间的衰减过程符合指数衰减过程,将荧蒽乙醇溶液进行逐级稀释,荧蒽荧光强度与延时时间的衰减进行指数拟合后,得到不同稀释倍数的荧蒽乙醇溶液的衰减动力学参数,随着稀释倍数的增大,拟合得到的荧蒽荧光寿命增大。多环芳烃时间分辨光谱特征的研究,可以为环境中多环芳烃的检测提供技术基础,由于不同荧光物质具有特征的荧光寿命,因此,可以利用多环芳烃与环境中其他荧光物质的不同荧光寿命特性,准确识别环境中的多环芳烃污染物。     

SYBR Green I: Fluorescence Properties and Interaction with DNA

In this study, we have investigated the fluorescence properties of SYBR Green I (SG) dye and its interaction with double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). SG/dsDNA complexes were studied using various spectroscopic techniques, including fluorescence resonance energy transfer and time-resolved fluorescence techniques. It is shown that SG quenching in the free state has an intrinsic intramolecular origin; thus, the observed >1,000-fold SG fluorescence enhancement in complex with DNA can be explained by a dampening of its intra-molecular motions. Analysis of the obtained SG/DNA binding isotherms in solutions of different ionic strength and of SG/DNA association in the presence of a DNA minor groove binder, Hoechst 33258, revealed multiple modes of interaction of SG inner groups with DNA. In addition to interaction within the DNA minor groove, both intercalation between base pairs and stabilization of the electrostatic SG/DNA complex contributed to increased SG affinity to double-stranded DNA. We show that both fluorescence and the excited state lifetime of SG dramatically increase in viscous solvents, demonstrating an approximate 200-fold enhancement in 100?% glycerol, compared to water, which also makes SG a prospective fluorescent viscosity probe. A proposed structural model of the SG/DNA complex is compared and discussed with results recently reported for the closely related PicoGreen chromophore.     

芘四磺酸四钠盐光物理性质的研究

本文利用吸收光谱、荧光光谱以及时间分辨瞬态吸收光谱研究芘四磺酸四钠盐的光物理特性.研究结果表明,芘四磺酸四钠盐在水溶液中的荧光量子产额高达0.54.在纳秒时间分辨瞬态吸收光谱研究中发现芘四磺酸四钠盐具有很长的三重态寿命(3.5ms),这有利于将其作为光敏化分子把激发能传给其它受体分子;芘四磺酸四钠盐被光激发后,可能发生双光子吸收过程并产生芘四磺酸四钠盐阳离子,其吸收峰为460nm和505nm.由实验结果,我们给出了其动力学过程的解释.     

Aggregation ofNaja nigricollis cardiotoxin: Characterization and quantitative estimate by time-resolved polarized fluorescence

After purification to homogeneity by Bio-Rex 70 ion exchange chromatography, micromolar solutions ofNaja nigricollis cardiotoxin were found to contain significant amounts of aggregates, as detected by time-resolved polarized fluorescence of its single tryptophan residue. The level of cardiotoxin aggregation depends strongly and reversibly on the protein concentration and pH. However, supplementary reverse-phase HPLC completely suppresses this aggregation, resulting in all cases in fluorescence anisotropy decays characteristic of the pure cardiotoxin monomer. The self-association properties of cardiotoxin, in the presence of a possible cofactor eliminated by the HPLC step, may be functionally relevant, and would deserve further investigation. The physical heterogeneity of the cardiotoxin samples required an appropriate model for the analysis of fluorescence depolarization, which was iteratively improved by comparison with experimental results. In this way, an approximate molar fraction of 10–15% aggregated cardiotoxin at a 90M total protein concentration, pH 7, was determined. The fluorescence of the partly aggregated samples is significantly perturbed as compared to the HPLC-treated monomer, indicating that the cardiotoxin aggregate must have an increased average fluorescence lifetime and a strongly decreased initial anisotropy. The decrease in initial anisotropy suggests either an increased mobility of the tryptophan residue upon aggregation or fast energy transfers between residues of different cardiotoxin molecules brought within a short distance in the aggregate. This study illustrates the high sensitivity of the time-resolved fluorescence technique, through both total fluorescence and anisotropy parameters, to low levels of physical or chemical heterogeneity in a protein sample.     

Fluorescence lifetime-enhanced spectral characterization of human serum

Frequency-domain fluorescence lifetime techniques were used for the characterization of pooled human serum, including normal serum, hyperlipid serum, and sera that had been stripped of various components. Fluorescence lifetime measurements of normal human serum revealed lifetime components primarily in the regions of 10² ps, 1–2 ns, 4–7 ns, and 9–10 ns. Phase-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy (PRFS), a frequency-domain technique that combines spectral and lifetime information, in measurements of phase-resolved fluorescence intensity (PRFI), provided the basis for comparison of the various sera. Measurements of PRFI vs excitation wavelength and emission wavelength yield a phase-resolved excitation-emission matrix (PREEM) at a given modulation frequency. Multifrequency measurements yield a three-way excitation-emission-frequency array. The multifrequency PREEMs of the various sera were compared with each other and with the corresponding two-way excitation-emission matrices (EEMs) that are obtained using conventional, steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. Application of matrix-based analysis techniques to the steady-state and PRFS data arrays allowed direct comparison between the two approaches. Results demonstrate the enhanced discrimination among samples that is achieved through the additional dimension of fluorescence lifetime in PRFS.     

2-Naphthol-phosphatidylethanolamine: A fluorescent phospholipid analogue for excited-state proton transfer studies in membranes

The fluorescence properties of the phospholipid derivative,N-[1-(2-naphthol)]-phosphatidylethanolamine (NAPH-PE), have been studied by steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques. The new probe is a naphthol adduct of phosphatidylethanolamine. The emission spectrum of the fluorescent phospholipid depends on the pH and on the proton acceptor concentration as expected for a typical two-state excited-state proton transfer reaction. In ethanol solutions at an apparent pH of 6.7 and in the presence of acetate anion (0.14M), a biexponential decay is obtained from global analysis of the data. The lifetimes, ₁=3.9 ns and ₂=6.2 ns. are constant across the spectral region 350–460 nm. The decay-associated spectra and the species-associated spectra reproduce well the profiles reported for a two-state excited-state proton transfer reaction. The fluorescent phospholipid has been incorporated into dimyristoyllecithin and dipalmitoyllecithin vesicles. Although lower proton transfer is found, the reaction appears to be dependent on the gel-to-liquid-crystalline phase transition of the lipid membrane. In addition, the steady-state anisotropy of NAPH-PE measured as a function of temperature trace the phase transition of the two vesicle systems. Thus, it is shown that the physical state of the bilayer affects a reaction which takes place at the membrane surface. In the presence of acetate ions (0.3M), global analysis, performed in terms of fluorescence decay parameters, recovers preexponential coefficients that are consistent with an excited-state proton transfer reaction. The short lifetime drops from 3.9 to 0.44 ns without significant changes of the longer-lifetime component.     

Nonradiative energy transfer in a concentrated solution of prodan

The temporal characteristics of luminescence decay in concentrated solutions of prodan excited by picosecond laser radiation are studied The electronic spectra exhibit a strong inhomogeneity, which, in the case of elevated solution viscosity, manifests itself under steady-state conditions of measurements. The temporal characteristics of the luminescence decay and the time-resolved luminescence spectra point to the occurrence of relaxation processes causing a long-wavelength shift of the emission band with time. An increase in the prodan concentration from 10^?4 to 5 × 10^?2 M leads to a faster increase in the luminescence lifetime in the long-wavelength spectral region and to a higher rate of shifting of the instantaneous spectra, which is related to energy transfer over the states of inhomogeneous broadening of the luminophore.     

铂原子高激发态能级自然辐射寿命测量研究

运用时间分辨激光诱导荧光技术和激光诱导等离子体方法测量了铂原子的15条奇宇称高激发态能级的自然辐射寿命．测量结果处于6.1到116 ns之间,且误差低于10%．经比较,与前人结果在误差范围内符合很好．据文献调研所知,结果中有5条高度接近60000 cm−1的高激发态能级的寿命值是未见报道的．     

单壁碳纳米管吸附联苯类有机物的荧光光谱分析

利用芳香族化合物对单壁碳纳米管进行了化学修饰,并利用荧光光谱以及时间分辨光谱对修饰后的单壁碳纳米管进行了表征分析.实验发现吸附对三联苯后有1个荧光峰位置发生了蓝移,这说明吸附过程使对三联苯的一些能级分布发生了变化.测量吸附前后对三联苯和蒽甲醇的荧光寿命,发现吸附后的荧光衰减曲线下降趋势更加明显,对曲线进行多指数拟合得出的荧光寿命及其数目发生了变化,分析了可能导致该现象的原因.     

铂原子高激发态能级自然辐射寿命测量研究

运用时间分辨激光诱导荧光技术和激光诱导等离子体方法测量了铂原子的15条奇宇称高激发态能级的自然辐射寿命.测量结果处于6.1到116 ns之间,且误差低于10%.经比较,与前人结果在误差范围内符合很好.据文献调研所知,结果中有5条高度接近60000 cm~(-1)的高激发态能级的寿命值是未见报道的.     

Fluorescence lifetime imaging of intracellular calcium

Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is a new methodology for studying the spatial and temporal dynamics of macromolecule, molecules, and ions in living cells. In FLIM image contrast is derived from the mean fluorescence lifetime at each point in a two-dimensional image. In our case the lifetime was measured by the phase-modulation method. We describe our FLIM apparatus, which consists of a fluorescence microscope, high-speed gated proximity focused MCP image intensifier, and slow-scan CCD camera. To accomplish subnanosecond time-resolved imaging, the gain of the image intensifier is modulated with a high-frequency signal, resulting in stationary phase-sensitive intensity images on the image intensifier. These images are recorded using a cooled slow-scan CCD camera and stored in an image processor. The lifetime images are created from a series of phase-sensitive images at various phase shift of the gain-modulation signal. We demonstrate calcium concentration imaging in living COS cells based on Ca²⁺-induced lifetime changes of Quin-2. The phase-angle image is mapped to the Ca²⁺ concentration image using anin vitro-determined calibration curve. The Ca²⁺ concentration was found to be uniform throughout the cell. In contrast, the intensity image shows significant spatial differences, which likely reflect variations in the thickness and distribution of probe within the cell.     

Analysis of Cation-Dependent DNA (G<Subscript>3</Subscript>T<Subscript>1</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> Shape Change Using Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy

In G-rich DNA, it is well known that the form changes from single-strand DNA to G-quadruplex due to cations. In this study, we analyze the diffusion coefficient and fluorescence intensity obtained by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy for short G-rich DNA of the (G₃T₁)₄ sequence labeled as 5-Carboxytetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA) with variation of the K⁺ ion concentration. At a K⁺ ion concentration of more than 200 mM, the single-strand DNA was changed to the G-quadruplex. The size of the G-quadruplex decreased to 86% than the size of the single strand DNA at K⁺ ion concentration of 0 M. The size of the G-quadruplex and the fluorescence intensity of TAMRA attached to the DNA were constant with an increase in the K⁺ ion concentration between 200 and 800 mM. This means that the size of the DNA and the fluorescence intensity of the TAMRA are not affected by the K⁺ ion concentration at the G-quadruplex structure because the binding structure of DNA and TAMRA dye leads to stability at a concentration of less than 100 mM K⁺. Based on our short G-rich DNA results, longer G-rich DNA is analyzed for the diffusion coefficient of the DNA and the fluorescence intensity variation of fluorescence dye attached to the DNA.