There has been a renewed interest in instrumental qualification and standardisation by the fluorescence community over the last 10 years, driven by the increasing number of quantitative chemical assays that use fluorescence detection and the presence of regulations in some of these areas. After revising three test methods for fluorescence instruments, stakeholders decided that a standard guide was needed to give general guidelines and recommendations for common fluorescence measurements before writing additional standards, which would be more specific.

The result of this work is a new standard, ASTM E2719, Guide for Fluorescence-Instrument Calibration and Qualification, as announced in our recent Quality Matters column. The new standard was developed by Subcommittee E13.01 on Ultra-Violet, Visible and Luminescence Spectroscopy, part of ASTM International Committee E13 on Molecular Spectroscopy and Separation Science.

According to Paul DeRose, research chemist, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and a member of Committee E13, ASTM E2719 summarises for users of fluorescence instruments what is presently available as far as methods and material standards necessary for the qualification of fluorometers as part of complying with regulatory and other quality assurance and quality control requirements. In addition, the standard gives general guidelines on sample preparation and handling.

"ASTM E2719 is a one-stop guide for non-experts to find out what standards are available to them for the task they want to accomplish and to help them to decide which of those is most well-suited for their application," says DeRose. "The level of detail in ASTM E2719 is geared for non-experts, but its thorough list of references will enable even experts to find the more detailed information they require."

Now that the need for a general standard has been met with ASTM E2719, E13.01 is looking for participants who can contribute to the ongoing development of the standard as well as to investigate the development of proposed new standards in the areas of spectral correction, relative quantum yields, traceability in fluorescence and microwell plate and microarray technologies.

Technical Contact: Paul DeRose, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, USA, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it