Spectrofluorimetic determination of cysteine based on the fluorescence inhibition of Cd(II)-8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acid complex by cysteine.

A spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of cysteine at trace and ultra trace levels (0-1.82 x 10(-5) mol l(-1)) has been developed. It is based on the efficient inhibition action of cysteine on the fluorescent system of Cd(II)-8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acid complex (Cd(II)-HQS) (lambda(ex) 364.8 nm, lambda(em) 510.4 nm) solution at pH 8.5. The method has been applied to protein hydrolysate and cystine electrolyte samples.