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The histochemical demonstration of catecholamines and tryptamines by acid- and aldehyde-induced fluorescence: microspectrofluorometric characterization of the fluorophores in models

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Fluorescence excitation and emission spectra are reported of the fluorophores derived from various catecholamines, tryptamines and related substances treated with vapours of acetaldehyde, glutaraldehyde and acetic acid. In most cases, the excitation maxima were at about 400–410 nm, and emission maxima at about 530 nm (catecholamines) or 560 nm (tryptamines). The microspectrofluorometric differentiation of individual arylethylamines by the relative height of excitation peaks at about 400 and 330 nm after treatment with acetic acid vapour is discussed.

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Author notes

  1. S. W. B. Ewen

    Present address: Department of Pathology, University of Aberdeen, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Histochemistry, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London

    S. W. B. Ewen & F. W. D. Rost

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  1. S. W. B. Ewen
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  2. F. W. D. Rost
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Ewen, S.W.B., Rost, F.W.D. The histochemical demonstration of catecholamines and tryptamines by acid- and aldehyde-induced fluorescence: microspectrofluorometric characterization of the fluorophores in models. Histochem J 4, 59–69 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01005269

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