An alternative fluorescence enhancement solution for use in lanthanide-based time-resolved fluoroimmunoassays.

Time-resolved fluoroimmunoassays that make use of lanthanide chelates as labels require the addition of an enhancement solution to elicit the formation of a fluorescent lanthanide complex. All solutions previously described are based on 2-naphthoyltrifluoroacetone (NTA), a beta-diketone. Currently, this compound is not commercially available. We report here the properties and performance of an enhancement solution prepared with a commercially available beta-diketone, thenoyltrifluoroacetone. Use of this solution in a commercial time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay gave results essentially identical to those obtained with the NTA-based solution, although fluorescence emission was approximately 27% lower. The lower fluorescence yield did not, however, significantly reduce assay sensitivity. We conclude that this solution represents a viable and highly economical alternative to the preparation currently in use, particularly for laboratories wishing to develop their own assays based on lanthanide fluorescence.