Resonance enhanced dynamic Rayleigh scattering

YAG:Ce3+ Transparent Ceramic Phosphors Brighten the Next-Generation Laser-Driven Lighting

Y₃ Al₅ O₁₂ :Ce³⁺ (YAG:Ce³⁺ ) transparent ceramic phosphors (TCPs) are regarded as the most promising luminescent converter for laser-driven (LD) lighting. High-quality YAG:Ce³⁺ TCPs are still urgent for high efficiency LD lighting devices. YAG:Ce³⁺ TCPs in a vacuum ambience by using nano-sized raw materials are prepared. Controlling defects by adding nano-sized MgO and SiO₂ simultaneously enables a high transmittance nearly 80%. After annealing in air furthermore, the luminous efficiency is enhanced greatly from 106 to 223 lm W^-1 , which is the best result reported now for LD lighting. These results demonstrate that the optimizing YAG:Ce³⁺ TCPs in a fitting strategy will brighten once again in the next-generation LD lighting. Based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with a cathodoluminescence system, defects and Ce³⁺ distributions in grains are identified directly for the first time.

The Growing Interest in Development of Innovative Optical Aptasensors for the Detection of Antimicrobial Residues in Food Products

The presence of antimicrobial residues in food-producing animals can lead to harmful effects on the consumer (e.g., allergies, antimicrobial resistance, toxicological effects) and cause issues in food transformation (i.e., cheese, yogurts production). Therefore, to control antimicrobial residues in food products of animal origin, screening methods are of utmost importance. Microbiological and immunological methods (e.g., ELISA, dipsticks) are conventional screening methods. Biosensors are an innovative solution for the development of more performant screening methods. Among the different kinds of biosensing elements (e.g., antibodies, aptamers, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP), enzymes), aptamers for targeting antimicrobial residues are in continuous development since 2000. Therefore, this review has highlighted recent advances in the development of aptasensors, which present multiple advantages over immunosensors. Most of the aptasensors described in the literature for the detection of antimicrobial residues in animal-derived food products are either optical or electrochemical sensors. In this review, I have focused on optical aptasensors and showed how nanotechnologies (nanomaterials, micro/nanofluidics, and signal amplification techniques) largely contribute to the improvement of their performance (sensitivity, specificity, miniaturization, portability). Finally, I have explored different techniques to develop multiplex screening methods. Multiplex screening methods are necessary for the wide spectrum detection of antimicrobials authorized for animal treatment (i.e., having maximum residue limits).

Simultaneous determination of cytokinins by high performance liquid chromatography with resonance Rayleigh scattering and mechanism discussion

A reliable, highly sensitive and highly selective method of high performance liquid chromatography associated with resonance Rayleigh scattering (HPLC-RRS) was developed to detect three cytokinins, namely, 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), kinetin (KT) and zeatin (ZT). In this work, Pd(ii) is added into the system to form ternary ion association complexes for the first time, which results in a lower limit of detection and extends the application of HPLC-RRS. The experimental conditions were optimized. In order to investigate the reaction mechanism, the ternary ion association complexes were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy and density functional theory calculations. In a HAc-NaAc buffer solution (pH = 4.1), a ternary complex of cytokinin : Pd(ii) : EryB (1 : 1 : 2) was formed. The detection limits (S/N = 3) of BA, KT, and ZT were 0.9, 1.5 and 2.3 ng mL-1, respectively. In addition, this method was applied for the simultaneous detection of cytokinins in real samples with satisfactory results.

A resonance Rayleigh scattering sensor for sensitive differentiation of telomere DNA length and monitoring special motifs (G-quadruplex and i-motif) based on the Ag nanoclusters and NAND logic gate responding to chemical input signals

Background

Differentiation of telomere length is of vital importance because telomere length is closely related with several deadly diseases such as cancer. Additionally, G-quadruplex and i-motif formation in telomeric DNA have been shown to act as a negative regulator of telomere elongation by telomerase in vivo and are considered as an attractive drug target for cancer chemotherapy.

Results

In this assay, Ag nanoclusters templated by hyperbranched polyethyleneimine (PEI–Ag NCs) are designed as a new novel resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) probe for sensitive differentiation of telomere length and monitoring special motifs (G-quadruplex and i-motif). In this assay, free PEI–Ag NC probe or DNA sequence alone emits low intensities of RRS, while the formation of PEI–Ag NCs/DNA complexes yields greatly enhanced RRS signals; however, when PEI–Ag NCs react with G-quadruplex or i-motif, the intensities of RRS exhibit slight changes. At the same concentration, the enhancement of RRS signal is directly proportional to the length of telomere, and the sensitivity of 64 bases is the highest with the linear range of 0.3–50 nM (limit of detection 0.12 nM). On the other hand, due to the conversion of telomere DNA molecules among multiple surrounding conditions, a DNA logic gate is developed on the basis of two chemical input signals (K⁺ and H⁺) and a change in RRS intensity as the output signal.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that PEI–Ag NCs can serve as a novel RRS probe to identify DNA length and monitor G-quadruplex/i-motif through the different increasing degrees of RRS intensity. Meanwhile, the novel attributes of the nanoprobe stand superior to those involving dyes or labeled DNA because of no chemical modification, low cost, green, and high efficiency.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12951-018-0407-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The resonance Rayleigh light scattering spectral investigation on the interaction of DNA with camellia sinensis in the presence of CPC and its analytical application

A novel method with high sensitivity was designed for the determination of trace nucleic acids by using cationic surfactant cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and camellia sinensis (CS) as resonance Rayleigh light scattering (RLS) probes. It was found DNA could combine with CS and CPC in Tris-HCl buffer (pH=7.4). Under optimum conditions, the RLS intensity of DNA can be enhanced by CPC-CS obviously at 294nm, and the enhanced RLS intensity was directly proportional to DNA concentration in the range from 0.024 to 3.48μgmL(-1) with a good linear relationship (r=0.9940). The limit of detection (LOD) was 1.49ngmL(-1) (S/N=3). In addition, the effects of some interferences including K(+), Na(+), Mg(2+), Zn(2+), Cu(2+), Ca(2+) and glucose on the determination were studied. The developed RLS assay was successfully applied to three synthetic samples to measure DNA, the recovery was 94.7-106.3% and RSD was 0.58-3.33%.

Recent advances and applications in QDs-based sensors

As a unique nanomaterial, quantum dots (QDs) are not only applied in fluorescent labeling and biological imaging, but are also utilized in novel sensing systems. Because QDs have attractive optoelectronic characteristics, QD-based sensors present high sensitivity in detecting specific analytes in the chemical and biochemical fields. In this review, we describe the basic principles and different conjugation strategies in QD-based sensors. An overview of recent advances and various models of QD-sensing systems is also provided. Furthermore, perspectives for sensors based on QDs are discussed.

Study on the ternary mixed ligand complex of palladium(II)-aminophylline-fluorescein sodium by resonance Rayleigh scattering, second-order scattering and frequency doubling scattering spectrum and its analytical application

The interaction between palladium(II)-aminophylline and fluorescein sodium was investigated by resonance Rayleigh scattering, second-order scattering and frequency doubling scattering spectrum. In pH 4.4 Britton-Robinson (BR) buffer medium, aminophylline (Ami) reacted with palladium(II) to form chelate cation([Pd(Ami)]2+), which further reacted with fluorescein sodium (FS) to form ternary mixed ligand complex [Pd(Ami)(FS)2]. As a result, resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS), second-order scattering (SOS) and frequency doubling scattering spectrum (FDS) were enhanced. The maximum scattering wavelengths of [Pd(Ami)(FS)2] were located at 300 nm (RRS), 650 nm (SOS) and 304 nm (FDS). The scattering intensities were proportional to the Ami concentration in a certain range and the detection limits were 7.3 ng mL(-1) (RRS), 32.9 ng mL(-1) (SOS) and 79.1 ng mL(-1) (FDS), respectively. Based on it, the new simple, rapid, and sensitive scattering methods have been proposed to determine Ami in urine and serum samples. Moreover, the formation mechanism of [Pd(Ami)(FS)2] and the reasons for enhancement of RRS were fully discussed.

Resonance Rayleigh scattering spectra, non-linear scattering spectra of tetracaine hydrochloride-erythrosin system and its analytical application

The interaction between erythrosine (ET) and tetracaine hydrochloride (TA) was studied by resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS), frequency doubling scattering (FDS) and second-order scattering (SOS) combining with absorption spectrum. In a weak acidic medium of Britton-Robinson (BR) buffer solution of pH 4.5, erythrosine reacted with tetracaine hydrochloride to form 1:1 ion-association complex. As a result, the new spectra of RRS, SOS and FDS appeared and their intensities enhanced greatly. The maximum peaks of RRS, SOS and FDS were at 342 nm, 680 nm and 380 nm, respectively. The intensities of the three scattering were directly proportional to the concentration of TA in the range of 0.008-4.2 microg mL(-1) for RRS, 0.027-4.2 microg mL(-1) for SOS and 0.041-4.2 microg mL(-1) for FDS. The methods had very high sensitivities and good selectivities, and the detection limits were 0.003 microg mL(-1) for RRS, 0.008 microg mL(-1) for SOS and 0.012 microg mL(-1) for FDS, respectively. Therefore, a new method was developed to determinate trace amounts of TA. The recovery for the determination of TA in blood serum and urine samples was between 97.0% and 103.8%. In this study, mean polarizability was calculated by AM1 quantum chemistry method. In addition, the reasons for the enhancement of scattering spectra and the energy transfer between absorption, fluorescence and RRS were discussed.

Study on the interaction between fluoroquinolones and erythrosine by absorption, fluorescence and resonance Rayleigh scattering spectra and their application

In pH 4.4-4.5 Britton-Robinson (BR) buffer solution, fluoroquinolone antibiotics (FLQs) including ciprofloxacin (CIP), norfloxacin (NOR), levofloxacin (LEV) and lomefloxacin (LOM) could react with erythrosine (Ery) to form 1:1 ion-association complexes, which not only resulted in the changes of the absorption spectra and the quenching of fluorescence, but also resulted in the great enhancement of resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS). These offered some indications of the determination of fluoroquinolone antibiotics by spectrophotometric, fluorescence and resonance Rayleigh scattering methods. The detection limits for fluoroquinolone antibiotics were in the range of 0.097-0.265 microg/mL for absorption methods, 0.022-0.100 microg/mL for fluorophotometry and 0.014-0.027 microg/mL for RRS method, respectively. Among them, the RRS method had the highest sensitivity. In this work, the spectral characteristics of the absorption, fluorescence and RRS, the optimum conditions of the reactions and the properties of the analytical chemistry were investigated. The methods have been successfully applied to determination of some fluoroquinolone antibiotics in human urine samples and tablets. Taking CIP-Ery system as an example, the charge distribution, the enthalpy of formation and the mean polarizability were calculated by density function theory (DFT) method. In addition, the reasons for the enhancement of scattering spectra were discussed.

A novel and sensitive method for recognition and indirect determination of Al(III) in biological fluid based on the quenching of resonance Rayleigh scattering intensities of "Al(III)-EV-DNA" complexing system

A novel method for recognition and indirect determination of Al(III) by using biological molecules has been established based on the quenching of RRS intensity. In the weak acidic medium, the reaction of ethyl violet (EV) and DNA would result in great enhancement of RRS intensity. However, the presence of Al(III) would lead to the decrease of the RRS intensity owing to the competition coordination of Al with DNA. The decreased intensity of RRS is directly proportional to the concentration of Al(III) in the range of (0.1-2.5)x10(-6) and (0.30-4.5)x10(-5)M, respectively. The method has high sensitivity and its detection limit (3sigma) is 3.6x10(-8)M. The characteristics of RRS spectra of the system, the optimum conditions of the reaction, and the reaction mechanism have been investigated. The method can recognize Al(III) selectively owing to its strong binding to the phosphate backbone of DNA, and has been applied to the determination of Al(III) concentration in synthetic biological samples with satisfactory results. Therefore, the proposed method is promising as an effective means for selective recognition and sensitive determination in situ of Al(III). Furthermore, this study would contribute to further understanding of the biological significance of Al neurotoxicity.

Temperature and density dependence of the light and heavy water ultraviolet absorption edge

Characteristics of the ultraviolet absorption band edge of high-pressure light and heavy water are reported over the temperature range of 25-400 degrees C, extending into the supercritical regime. A gradual redshift in the absorption band edge of approximately 0.6 eV is observed with increasing temperature. This shift cannot be explained by vibrational hot band growth or changes in the degree of Rayleigh scattering with increasing temperature, and is ascribed to a shift of the electronic transition energy. The density dependence for the absorption edge in 400 degrees C supercritical water was also examined, and showed a surprising approximately 0.1 eV blueshift over a factor of 3.5 decrease in density. This shift may be due to a narrowing of the absorption spectrum with decreasing density. It is proposed that the previously reported "red tail" of the water absorption extending into the near ultraviolet and visible could be attributed to preresonant Rayleigh scattering, and that the true onset of liquid water absorption is approximately 5.8 eV at 25 degrees C.

Study on the resonance Rayleigh scattering spectra of the interactions of palladium (II)–cephalosporins chelates with 4,5-dibromofluorescein and their analytical applications

In pH 2.8-3.8 BR buffer medium, the third generation cephalosporin antibiotics (TGCs) such as ceftazidime (CZD), ceftriaxone (CTRX), cefoperazone (CPZ), and cefotaxime (CFTM) react with palladium(II) (Pd(II)) to form 1:2 yellowish-brown cationic chelates, which further react with 4,5-dibromofluorescein (DBF) to form 1:3 brown ion-association complexes. As a result, not only the spectra of absorption and fluorescence are changed, but also the resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) is enhanced greatly and the new RRS spectra are observed. The four TGCs products have similar spectral characteristics and their maximum RRS wavelengths are all located at 291 nm. The quantitative determination ranges and the detection limits of the four TGCs are 0.0065-1.0 microg mL(-1) and 2.0 ng mL(-1) for CZD, 0.0070-1.1 microg mL(-1) and 2.2 ng mL(-1) for CTRX, 0.0090-1.6 microg mL(-1) and 2.7 ng mL(-1) for CPZ, and 0.014-2.2 microg mL(-1) and 4.2 ng mL(-1) for CFTM, respectively. The optimum conditions of the reactions and the effects of foreign substances are investigated, and the composition of ion-association complexes is discussed also. Based on the ion-association reaction, a highly sensitive, simple and rapid method has been proposed to the determination of TGCs.

Resonance scattering method for the ultrasensitive determination of peptides using semiconductor nanocrystals

Resonance light scattering (RLS) of the functionalized ZnS nanocrystals-peptides system and its analytical application have been studied. The RLS intensity can be efficiently enhanced when various peptides were added. The mechanism of the RLS enhancement of ZnS nanocrystals was discussed. The change of RLS intensity was in proportion to the concentration of peptides. The limits of detection were in range of 2.8-5.7 ng mL(-1). Application results to synthetic samples showed simplicity, rapidity, high sensitivity and satisfactory reproducibility of the presented method. Measurements of real samples also give satisfactory results which were in good agreement with those obtained using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrography (LC-MS) methods.

Determination of bismuth in pharmaceutical products using methyltriphenylphosphonium bromide as a molecular probe by resonance light scattering technique

A method for the determination of bismuth in pharmaceutical products using methyltriphenylphosphonium bromide as a molecular probe based on the resonance light scattering (RLS) technique was developed. In the presence of Tween-20, bismuth reacts with a large excess of I(-) to form [BiI(4)](-), which further reacts with methyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (MTPB) to form an ion-association compound. This resulted in a significant enhancement of RLS intensity and the appearance of the corresponding RLS spectral characteristics. The enhanced RLS intensity was directly proportional to the concentration of Bi(III) in the range of 0.001-1.50 microg/ml for the system. The detection limit was 0.98 ng/ml. The characteristics of RLS spectra of the complex, the optimum conditions and the influencing factors were investigated. The method has high selectivity and was applied to the determination of Bi(III) in pharmaceutical products with satisfactory results, which were in agreement with those of the official method and atomic absorbance spectrometry (AAS).

Incorporation of flow injection analysis or capillary electrophoresis with resonance Rayleigh scattering detection for inorganic ion analysis

Resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) has been explored as a detection (RRSD) technique for capillary electrophoresis (CE) or flow injection analysis (FIA) of inorganic ions. The detection was achieved through a scattering probe of ion-association complex formed from rhodamine B (Rh B) and iodine. The probe scatters strongly at 630 nm when oxidants such as Cr(2)O(7)(2-), MnO(4)(-) and ClO(-) present in a mixed solution of Rh B and iodide. The scattering disappears once iodine is reduced by reductants. Oxidant or reductant species in a sample can thus be detected by positive or negative RRS signal. To verify the RRSD, FIA-RRSD was first constructed and continuous measurement of testing samples containing Cr(2)O(7)(2-), MnO(4)(-) and/or ClO(-) was performed. The detection limits reached a level of decade nM and a linear range was found between peak height and concentration at the range of 0.255-2.04microM for Cr(2)O(7)(2-), 0.158-3.16microM for MnO(4)(-), and 1.18-9.43microM for ClO(-), with linear regression coefficients of all above 0.99. The run-to-run relative standard deviation of peak height was less than 3% (n=6). CE-RRSD was then set up and studied, using a capillary of 75microm i.d.x33cm filled with a running buffer of 50mM citrate and 25mM Tris (pH 3.32) and worked under -12kV at room temperature. The CE eluent was at-line conducted into a stream of rhodamine B and iodine flowing inner a wide tube by plugging the capillary outlet into the wide tube. Different mixtures prepared from Cr(2)O(7)(2-), MnO(4)(-) and ClO(-) were successfully separated and detected by the CE-RRSD.

Interaction of [HgX4]2- with Berberine by Absorption and Resonance Rayleigh-Scattering Spectra and Their Analytical Applications

In a diluted H2SO4 solution, Hg(II) reacts with halide anions X- (including Cl-, Br- and I-) to form anionic complexes [HgX4]2- that can further react with berberine to form ion-association complexes of [Ber]2[HgX4]. As a result, the absorption spectra change, their maximum absorption wavelengths are at 230 nm for [Ber]2[HgCl4], 278 nm for [Ber]2[HgBr4] and 300 nm for [Ber]2[HgI4]. However, among the three complexes, only [Ber]2[HgI4] can lead to distinctly enhanced resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS), and a new RRS spectrum appears. The maximum RRS wavelength is located at 397 nm, and the RRS intensity is proportional to the concentration of berberine in the range of 0-2.5 microg mL-1. The optimum conditions, the influence factors for the reaction and the effects of coexisting substances have been investigated. A new, simple and fast RRS method for the determination of berberine based on the ion-association reaction of [HgI4]2- with Ber+ was developed. The method has high sensitivity and good selectivity; the detection limit for berberine (3 sigma/K) is 7.22 ng mL-1. The method can be applied to the determination of berberine in some Chinese patent drug and the extracts of Coptis Chinensis. Furthermore, the mechanism of the reaction and the reasons for RRS enhancement have been discussed.

Protein analysis with tetra-substituted sulfonated cobalt phthalocyanine by the technique of Rayleigh light scattering

This is the first report of cobalt-tetrasulfonatophthalocyanine (CoTSPc) as a probe of Rayleigh light scattering (RLS) to determine proteins at nanogram levels. A highly sensitive method has been developed for the determination of proteins by the light scattering technique on a common spectrofluorimeter, based on the fact that the weak RLS of CoTSPc can be greatly enhanced in the presence of proteins. Under optimum conditions, the linear ranges of the calibration curves were 0.10-34.3 microg x mL(-1) for both human serum albumin and bovine serum albumin, with detection limits of 15.5 and 13.9 ng x mL(-1), respectively. Moreover, there is almost no interference of any amino acids and metal ions. The method has been applied to the direct determination of total proteins in human serum samples, and the results were satisfactory with clinical data provided.

Resonance Rayleigh scattering study of the reaction of nucleic acids with thionine and its analytical application

Resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) of the thionine (TH)-nucleic acids system and its analytical application have been studied. In pH 2.2 acidic buffer medium, some nucleic acids can react with TH to form TH-nucleic acids complex. This results in a great enhancement of RRS and the appearance of new RRS spectra. The RRS spectral characteristics of TH-ctDNA system, the affecting factors and the optimum conditions of the reaction have been investigated. The enhancement of the RRS signal is directly proportional to the concentration of nucleic acids in the range 0-10.0 microg/ml for calf thymus DNA and 0-15.0 microg/ml for yeast RNA, and its detection limits (3sigma) are 3.5 ng/ml for calf thymus DNA and 4.9 ng/ml for yeast RNA, respectively. The method shows a wide linear range and high sensitivity, and was applied to the determination of trace amounts of nucleic acid in synthetic samples and practical samples with satisfactory results. The bind properties for the interactions of TH with ctDNA were investigated using a Scatchard plot based on the measurement of the enhanced RRS data at 340 nm, and the binding number and intrinsic binding constant are 4.9 and 2.6 x 10(5) mol/dm(3), respectively.

Determination of dysprosium by resonance light scattering technique in the presence of BPMPHD

Dysprosium has been determined by resonance light scattering (RLS) method in the presence of 1,6-bi(1'-phenyl-3'-methyl-5'-pyrazolone-4'-)hexanedione (BPMPHD) at pH 5.5. The Dy-BPMPHD system has three characteristic peaks at 358, 399 and 450 nm, especially the peak at 358 nm, which is proportional to the concentration of Dy(3+) in the range of 1.0 x 10(-10)-1.0 x 10(-5) mol l(-1). The detection limit (S/N=2) is 5.6 x 10(-12) mol l(-1). Synthetic samples are determined satisfactorily. A new sensitive method for detection of dysprosium has been proposed.

Counterion-dependent excitonic spectra of tetra(p-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin aggregates in acidic aqueous solution

Aggregates of the diacid form of tetra(p-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin (TCPP) are found to be stabilized in aqueous solution at low pH in the presence of poly(vinyl alcohol). At pH values in the range from about 1 to 4, a split Soret band is observed which is independent of counterion and tentatively assigned to a dimer species. As the pH is made lower than 1, the spectra evolve to reveal the presence of porphyrin aggregates. As in the case of the well-known aggregates of the related tetra(p-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TSPP) diacid, the concentration of spectroscopically distinguishable aggregates increases with increasing ionic strength or decreasing pH. Unlike aggregates of TSPP, however, TCPP aggregates below pH 1 have visible absorption spectra which depend on the counterion, which is Cl(-) or NO(3)(-) in this study. In this work, we present visible absorption, light-scattering, and resonance Raman spectra of TCPP diacid in its monomer, dimer, and aggregated forms and attempt to understand the structural basis for counterion-dependent structure and excitonic coupling in the aggregates. Evidence is presented for intercalation of inorganic counterions between porphyrin molecules in the aggregate, an effect which to our knowledge has not been previously reported.

Resonance Rayleigh scattering technology as a new method for the determination of the inclusion constant of beta-cyclodextrin

The interaction of procaine hydrochloride and beta-cyclodextrin in aqueous solution was studied using resonance Rayleigh scattering technology. The molar ratio of the inclusion complex was 1:1 established by spectrophotometry. The resonance Rayleigh scattering technology was first applied in the determination of the beta-cyclodextrin inclusion constant. The inclusion constant of procaine hydrochloride beta-cyclodextrin complex Kf is 1.23 x 10(2) and 1.27 x 10(2) l mol(-1) for method I and 1.15 x 10(2) and 1.21 x 10(2) l mol(-1) for method II. These determination results were in correspondence with the results of the spectrophotometric and fluorescence methods. Therefore, the resonance Rayleigh scattering method can be used as a new technology for the determination of the inclusion constant.

Resonance Rayleigh scattering study of the interaction of heparin with some basic diphenyl naphthylmethane dyes

In a near-neutral medium, a combination of heparin with some basic diphenyl naphthylmethane dyes such as victoria blue 4R (VB4R), victoria blue B (VBB), or night blue (NB) can result in a significant enhancement of resonance. Rayleigh scattering (RRS) and their maximum scattering wavelengths lambdamax appear at 523, 534, and 540 nm for VB4R, VBB, and NB, respectively. The characteristics of RRS spectra of the heparin-dye complexes, the influencing factors, and the optimum conditions of these reactions have been investigated. The RRS intensity is directly proportional to the concentration of heparin in the range of approximately 0 to 0.4 microg/mL for all systems. The methods exhibit high sensitivities, and the detection limits for heparin are 3.35 ng/mL for the VB4R system, 6.62 ng/ mL for the VBB system, and 6.29 ng/mL for the NB system. Because the VB4R system is the most sensitive, it was taken as an example to study the selectivity of the method. A new method for the determination of trace amounts of heparin based on RRS technique has been developed. Moreover, the enhancement reasons of RRS and the relationship between RRS spectral characteristics of the heparin-dye complex and its absorption spectra have been primarily discussed.