Hitachi’s F-7000 fluorescence spectrometer, with the highest throughput level of 3D fluorescence spectrum (fluorescence fingerprint) analysis for the instrument class, is used in a broad range of fields from the cutting-edge research to the application for quality control. This time, the fluorescence fingerprint of an egg was obtained to understand its fluorescence properties. The time required for the analysis of the wavelength range used this time was about 2 minutes. When analyzing a liquid samples which do not transmit light such as eggs, the fluorescence from the sample surface is measured by using a solid sample holder. By measuring at the surface, the fluorescence properties
of an egg can be measured from the original solution without any preparation such as dilution.
As a result of the fluorescence analysis, three characteristic fluorescence peaks of (i) to (iii) were confirmed from the egg white. These fluorescence fingerprints resulted from the fluorescence peaks originating from protein-constituting amino acids. From the egg yolk, peaks (iv) and (v) were confirmed in addition to the peaks (i) to (iii) while peak (vi) was also confirmed from the egg shell.
