Novel Surface-Enhanced Fluorescence D Etection of Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons Separated by Paper Chromatography

Abstract

Amorphous famed silica was used to enhance the fluorescence signal of a mixture of polynuclear aromatic (PMA) compounds separated by paper chromatography. Benzo[a]pyrene-r-7, t-8, 9, 10-tetrahydrotetrol (BPT) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) were well resolved by paper chromatography using a 50% (v/v) mixture of acetonitrile and 5 mM pH 7.0 phosphate buffer as the chromatographic solvent. A 200–400% enhancement of the fluorescence intensity was observed when fumed silica was applied to the chromatographic paper prior to separation. the results demonstrate that paper chromatography using fumed silica treated paper offers a simple, cost-effective method to improve sensitivity for fluorescence detection of PNA components in environmental samples relative to untreated paper.