Spectrofluorometric Determination of Homovanillic Acid in Urine

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Abstract
When homovanillic acid (HVA) is treated with potassium permanganate, a relatively strong fluorescence emerges. Stepwise, oxidation 1st increases the intensity of fluorescence to a maximum, after which further oxidation causes a decrease. Half as much permanganate is needed to reach peak fluorescence as is required for a return to the starting level. The maximal intensity of the emerging fluorescence was used as the titration point for quantitative analysis. The interferences of naturally occurring fluorescences in urine require extraction with ether and further separation by paper chromatography before fluorometric titration. The advantage of spectrofluorometry over colorimetry for the determination of HVA is described.