Description
FITC-inulin is synthesised by reacting fluoresceinyl isothiocyanate (FITC) with inulin from dahlia tubers. The product is a yellow powder which is readily soluble in water. All batches are checked for molecular weight, degree of substitution, loss on drying and free FITC. Aladdin produce FITC-inulin with a molecular weight of 4 kDa. FITC-inulin is supplied as a yellow powder.StructureAn inulin fraction obtained from dahlia tubers is labelled with fluorescein. The fluorescein moiety is attached by a stable thiocarbamoyl linkage and the labelling procedure does not lead to any depolymerization of inulin. FITC-inulin possesses from 0.001-0.008 mol FITC per fructose unit. At these low levels of substitution, the effect of the charges is minimal.Spectral dataThe excitation maximum for FITC-inulin is 490 nm and the emission maximum is 520 nm. Fluorescence is dependent on pH.ApplicationInulin has long been used for monitoring renal clearance. FITC-inulin offers a simple and sensitive alternative to the cumbersome chemical assays of inulin and permits real time analyses