Luminol is a cyclic diacyl hydrazide that exhibits chemiluminescence upon oxidation. For example, HRP, combined with hydrogen peroxide as an activator, causes luminescent peroxidation of luminol.1 This reaction can be enhanced by certain phenol derivatives, such as p-substituted phenols.2 Luminol can also be oxidized, and chemiluminesce, by compounds containing iron, copper, gold, and cyanide.3,4 The excitation/emission maxima for luminol are 355/411 nm.
1.Cormier, M.J., and Prichard, P.M.An investigation of the mechanism of the luminescent peroxidation of luminol by stopped flow techniquesJ. Biol. Chem.243(18)4706-4714(1968) 2.Thorpe, G.H.G., Kricka, L.J., Moseley, S.B., et al.Phenols as enhancers of the chemiluminescent horseradish peroxidase-luminol-hydrogen peroxide reaction: Application in luminescence-monitored enzyme immunoassaysClin. Chem.31(8)1335-1341(1985) 3.Fan, A., Cao, Z., Li, H., et al.Chemiluminescence platforms in immunoassay and DNA analysesAnal. Sci.25(5)587-597(2009) 4.Vladimirov, Y.A., and Proskurnina, E.V.Free radicals and cell chemiluminescenceBiochemistry (Mosc.)74(13)1545-1566(2009)