Spectroscopic study of 2-(2-pyridyliminomethyl)phenol as a novel fluorescent probe for superoxide anion radicals and superoxide dismutase activity.

A novel spectrofluorometric method, using 2-(2-pyridyliminomethyl)phenol as a fluorescent probe, was developed for the determination of superoxide anion radical (O(2) (*-)) and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD). The new fluorescent probe was synthesized and characterized with elemental analysis and IR spectra. It was oxidized by O(2) (*-) to form a less fluorescence product. Based on this reaction, a spectrofluorometric method was proposed and successfully used to determine superoxide anion radicals and SOD activity. The effects of interferences were studied. The reaction was simple, precise and sensitive. It was applied to determine SOD activity in garlic, papaya and spinach successfully.