Zgliczyński J M, Olszowska E, Olszowski S, Stelmaszyńska T, Kwasnowska E
Int J Biochem. 1985;17(4):515-9. doi: 10.1016/0020-711x(85)90148-x.
A mixture of chloramines and hydrogen peroxide emits light. It was found that the reaction between taurine monochloramine and hydrogen peroxide is very slow. The stoichiometry of the reaction is 1:1 and taurine is detected as one of the products. The chlorinated proteins and bacteria, containing N-Cl groups, when reacting with hydrogen peroxide, are more effective in emitting light than low-molecular chloramines. Luminol enhances considerably light yield of the chloramine-hydrogen peroxide reaction. The chloramine-H2O2 reaction may account for light emitted by neutrophils during phagocytosis.
