Hydrogen Sulfide Detection

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has been known as a toxic pollutant for years. However, H₂S, has been recently recognized as an important signaling molecule of the cardiovascular system, the inflammatory system and the nervous system. H₂S is now known as the third endogenous gaseotransmitter, alongside nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide. There is rising interest on H₂S research; however, questions still remain on how to regulate H₂S production, its mechanism of action, and destruction. Understanding these processes and the function of H₂S require accurate and reliable measurement of H₂S concentrations, which at present cannot be provided by available methods such as colorimetric and electrochemical assays, gas chromatography, and sulfide precipitation.

WSU inventors have developed a reaction-based fluorescent turn-on strategy for the detection of H₂S. This strategy involves a proprietary process and a reagent that selectively reacts with H₂S to yield a fluorescent reporter. The fluorescense response is linear with H₂S concentration.

Applications and Advantages

§ Offers simple sample processing

§ High sensitivity

IP Status

Available for non-exclusive licensing