Fluorescence spectrometry STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

STRENGTHS • A SELECTIVE DETECTION method and can be used to QUANTIFY A STRONGLY FLUORESCENT compound in the presence of a larger amount of non-fluorescent material. • Can be used to MONITOR CHANGES IN COMPLEX MOLECULES such as proteins, which are being used increasingly as drugs. LIMITATIONS • The technique only applies to a LIMITED NUMBER of molecules. • Fluorescence is SUBJECT TO INTERFERENCE by UV-absorbing species, heavy ions in solution, and is affected by temperature.