ABSTRACT
Bio- and chemiluminescence reactions are widely used for analytical purposes because of the great sensitivity of these methods. The bioluminescence reaction of the firefly allows Adenosine triphosphate measurement, whereas bioluminescence bacterial systems are used for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide or NADPH determination. Bioluminescence, or “living light,” a very diverse and unique natural phenomenon, is the emission of light by living organisms. Bioluminescence is a special case of chemiluminescence in which a protein, generally an enzyme, is involved. Bioluminescence is also encountered in some marine bacteria, which are easily cultured, such as Vibrio fischeri, Vibrio harveyi, Photobacterium phosphoreum, or Photobacterium leiognathi. The chemiluminescence reaction of luminol with hydrogen peroxide requires the use of a catalyst and/or a cooxidant. The sensitivity of luminescent assays is generally higher than that of spectrophotometric or fluorometric assays and depends on three main factors: the quantum yield of the reaction, the rate of the reaction, and the efficiency of the light detector.
