A possible origin of chemiluminescence in phagocytosing neutrophils. Reaction between chloramines and H2O2.
A mixture of chloramines and hydrogen peroxide emits light. It was found that the reaction between taurine monochloramine and hydrogen peroxide is very slow. The stoichiometry of the reaction is 1:1 and taurine is detected as one of the products. The chlorinated proteins and bacteria, containing N-Cl groups, when reacting with hydrogen peroxide, are more effective in emitting light than low-molecular chloramines. Luminol enhances considerably light yield of the chloramine-hydrogen peroxide reaction. The chloramine-H2O2 reaction may account for light emitted by neutrophils during phagocytosis.
D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D002700:Chloramines; D002713:Chlorine; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008165:Luminol / Q000494:pharmacology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000502:physiology*; D010587:Phagocytosis; D011506:Proteins; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis; D013654:Taurine
D002700:Chloramines; D011506:Proteins; D013654:Taurine; D002713:Chlorine; D008165:Luminol; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; C030816:chloramine