A new technique for enhancing luminol luminescent detection of free radicals and reactive oxygen species.

A novel technique is reported which makes use of (1) an improved method for solubilizing luminol at neutral pH along with (2) the addition of dimethyl sulfoxide to stabilize superoxide anion in the solutions in which luminescence is detected. These improvements resulted in (1) very low blank values of luminescence and (2) an approximately 6-fold increase in sensitivity of detection of peroxide and superoxide, as well as stabilizing the superoxide radical anion. The technique can also be used to evaluate the availability of antioxidants in biological homogenates and fluids.