Post-column reaction detection of biotin in human plasma ultrafiltrate based on laser-induced fluorescence energy transfer in the far-red spectral region

High performance liquid chromatography followed by post-column reaction detection in the far-red spectral region provides added sensitivity and selectivity. A homogeneous fluorescence energy transfer assay in the competitive mode based on the binding of biotin and streptavidin was developed as an on-line post-column reaction detection system. The labels used for energy transfer were R-Phycoerythrin conjugated to biotin and Cyanine 5 labeled with streptavidin. The energy transfer peak was measured at 670 nm and excitation was achieved using the 488 nm line of an argon ion laser. The biotin concentration in plasma ultrafiltrate ranged from 0.024 to 6.12 ng/mL (n = 6). The precision of the two controls, 0.24 and 2. 44 ng/mL, was found to be 18.70% and 9.92% relative standard deviation respectively. Accuracy was 10.47% and 1.95% difference from spiked, respectively (n = 6). The limit of detection was 21.70 pg/mL (8.90 x 10(-11)M) calculated based on a factor of 2x the standard deviation of the blank (n = 6). The correlation coefficient for the calibration curve was found to be 0.9995. Recovery from plasma ultrafiltrate at 2.44 ng/mL was 103.40% (n = 6). Detection selectivity was indicated by the absence of background fluorescence in six different plasma samples collected from six individual donors. Endogenous levels were detected in two of the six pools of plasma ultrafiltrates.