Dual fluorescence/contactless conductivity detection for microfluidic chip

A new dual detection system for microchip is reported. Both fluorescence detector (FD) and contactless conductivity detector (CCD) were combined together and integrated on a microfluidic chip. They shared a common detection position and responded simultaneously. A blue light-emitting diode was used as excitation source and a small planar photodiode was used to collect the emitted fluorescence in fluorescence detection, which made the device more compact and portable. The coupling of the fluorescence and contactless conductivity modes at the same position of a single separation channel enhanced the detection characterization of sample and offered simultaneous detection information of both fluorescent and charged specimen. The detection conditions of the system were optimized. K+, Na+, fluorescein sodium, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and FITC-labeled amino acids were used to evaluate the performance of the dual detection system. The limits of detection (LOD) of FD for fluorescein Na+, FITC, FITC-labeled arginine (Arg), glycine (Gly) and phenylalanine (Phe) were 0.02 μmol L−1, 0.05 μmol L−1, 0.16 μmol L−1, 0.15 μmol L−1, 0.12 μmol L−1 respectively, and the limits of detection (LOD) of CCD achieved 0.58 μmol L−1 and 0.39 μmol L−1 for K+ and Na+ respectively.