Singlet Oxygen Detection in Biological Systems: Uses and Limitations.

The study of singlet oxygen in biological systems is challenging in many ways. Singlet oxygen is a relatively unstable ephemeral molecule, and its properties make it highly reactive with many biomolecules, making it difficult to quantify accurately. Several methods have been developed to study this elusive molecule, but most studies thus far have focussed on those conditions that produce relatively large amounts of singlet oxygen. However, the need for more sensitive methods is required as one begins to explore the levels of singlet oxygen required in signalling and regulatory processes. Here we discuss the various methods used in the study of singlet oxygen, and outline their uses and limitations.

KEYWORDS: EPR spectroscopy; Singlet oxygen; lipid peroxidation; reactive oxygen species; singlet oxygen sensor green; ultraweak photon emission

PMID: 27231787 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]