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Abstract  A simple and rapid method was devised for determination of tryptophan, based on the Belousov-Zhabotinskii (B-Z) oscillating chemical system. Changes in oscillating period and amplitude were linearly proportional to the negative logarithm of l-tryptophan concentration over the range of 6.44 × 10−7–2.55 × 10−4 M, with the regression coefficients of near unity and a lower detection limit of 6.5 × 10−8 M. d-tryptophan was also examined although it is rarely found in most biological fluids, and perhaps not at all in natural proteins. The change of period against to negative logarithm of d-tryptophan concentration over the range of 4.9 × 10−5–8.24 × 10−4 M is linear. Because the optimum conditions for determination of l- and d-tryptophan are not the same, a little amount of d-tryptophan does not affect the determination of l-tryptophan. Various influences were studied and a possible mechanism of perturbation to the B-Z oscillator by tryptophan was also discussed. Spectrophotometry and fluorescence spectrophotofluorimetry were used for comparision and confirmation of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid and convenient method for the determination of furfural is presented that is based upon sequential perturbation of the Mn(II)-catalyzed B-Z oscillating system with different amounts of furfural using a continuous-flow stirred tank reactor (CSTR). When the sample was injected, the change in the amplitude and/or period was linearly proportional to the logarithm of the concentration of furfural over the range 3×10−8∼1×10−5 mol L−1. This method gave a detection limit of 3×10−9 mol L−1 under optimum conditions. Finally, the possible mechanism of furfural perturbation in the oscillating reaction is discussed. When the furfural was injected into the Mn(II)-catalyzed B-Z oscillating system, the change in the amplitude and/or period was linearly proportional to the logarithm of the concentration of furfural over the range 3×10−8~1×10−5 mol L−1, with a detection limit of 3×10−9 mol L−1 under optimum conditions. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]