Absorbance detection technology
Absorbance single-mode microplate readers can be used for many research applications including ELISA, DNA and protein quantification, and enzyme activity. They are commonly used in a variety of bioresearch and quality control settings.
How does absorbance detection work?
Absorbance single-mode microplate readers measure how much light is absorbed by a sample. Microplate readers that are capable of detecting light in the ultraviolet (UV) range can be used to determine the concentration of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) or protein directly, without the need for sample labeling. Light of a certain wavelength, dependent on the material being measured, is passed through a sample, and a detector on the other side of the microplate well measures how much of the original light was absorbed by the sample in the well.
How does an absorbance ELISA plate reader work?
An ELISA, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, is a method used to quantitatively detect an antigen within a sample. Most ELISAs are run in microplates, with the bottom of the microplate wells serving as the solid surface to which an antigen of interest attaches, either directly or via an antibody. An enzyme conjugate, which reacts with substrate to produce a colored solution, is used to detect the antigen. A microplate washer is used to wash away non-specific, unbound material in the wells, and a microplate reader―often referred to as an ELISA plate reader―detects the color change produced when target antigen is present.
What's the difference between a spectrophotometer and an absorbance microplate reader?
A standard spectrophotometer measures absorbance one sample at a time. The sample is typically placed in a cuvette through which light is sent horizontally. The SpectrtaMax® QuickDrop Micro-Volume Absorbance Spectrophotometer measures samples as small as 0,5 uL without a cuvette. An absorbance microplate reader offers higher throughput and can measure the absorbance of samples in microplates, typically 96-well or even 384-well, by sending light through each well vertically.
Absorbance measurement applications and research
Find an extensive collection of application notes, research, and technology related to absorbance plate reader assays and applications.
- Bacterial Identification
- Bradford, BCA Protein Assay
- Colorimetric Protein
- Cytoproliferation
- Cytotoxicity Assays
- Quantification ADN/ARN/protéines
- Diphenylamine DNA (DISHE)
- Drug Dissolution Profiles
- ELISA (HRP, TMB, AP, etc.)
- Endpoint ELISAs/EIA
- Enzyme Kinetics (e.g.,Ki,Km)
- Food, Beverage and Cannabis
- IC50/LD50
- Tests immunologiques
- Kinetic ELISAs/Enzyme Assays
- Lowry
- Microbial Growth/MIC
- MTT & XTT Cell Viability Assay
SpectraMax ABS/ABS Plus Microplate Readers
Détection d’absorbance rapide pour un grand nombre de tests sans utiliser de filtre
- Conception compacte
- 96- or 384-well microplate compatibility
- Eight-channel optics for fast reads
- Pipetting errors eliminated with patented PathCheck® Sensor to measure the optical pathlength of samples in a microplate
- Validation and compliance tools
Absorbance single-mode product portfolio comparison
Our portfolio of SpectraMax® absorbance single-mode microplate readers provide the flexibility, sensitivity, and convenience for a wide range of assays.
| GAMMES DE LONGUEURS D’ONDE |
| MICROPLATE TYPES |
| VITESSE DE LECTURE |
| PORT DE CUVETTE |
| PRÉCISION PHOTOMÉTRIQUE (Microplate/Cuvette) |
| AGITATION |
|
SpectraMax QuickDrop
Micro-Volume Spectrophotometer 
One touch, full-spectrum micro-volume absorbance spectrophotometer. Built-in sample port for small volumes (0,5 µL) and cuvettes |
EMax Plus
Lecteur de microplaques 
An affordable, tunable microplate reader for 96 well plate formats |
VersaMax ELISA
Lecteur de microplaques 
Bridges the gap between the affordability of filter-based readers and the flexibility of monochromator-based systems for 96 well format |
SpectraMax 190
Lecteur de microplaques 
Lecteur de microplaques à absorbance dans le spectre UV/visible pouvant traiter jusqu'à 96 échantillons avec les modes point final, cinétique et balayage de spectre |
SpectraMax ABS
Lecteur de microplaques 
Fast absorbance detection for a wide range of assays without the use of filters, using 96 and 384 well microplates |
SpectraMax Plus 384
Lecteur de microplaques 
UV-visible absorbance microplate reader with ultrafast, full spectral range detection for cuvettes, 96 and 384 well microplates |
SpectraMax ABS Plus
Lecteur de microplaques
Fast absorbance detection for a wide range of assays without the use of filters, using cuvettes, 96 and 384 well microplates |
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190 à 1100 nm |
400 à 750 nm |
340 à 850 nm |
190 à 850 nm |
340 à 850 nm |
190 à 1000 nm |
190 à 1000 nm |
|
N/A |
Plaques à 96 puits |
Plaques à 96 puits |
Plaques à 96 puits |
Plaques à 96 puits |
Plaques à 96 et à 384 puits |
Plaques à 96 et à 384 puits |
|
96 wells: 4 secondes |
96 wells: 40 secondes |
96 wells: 9 secondes |
96 wells: 9 secondes |
96 wells: 9 secondes |
96 well: 9/5 second 384 well: 29/16 second |
96 well: 9/5 second 384 well: 29/16 second |
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± 0,005 A ou 1 % de la lecture |
0,5 % à 450 nm |
< ±0,006 OD ±1,0 %, 0 à 2 OD |
< ±0,006 OD ±1,0 %, 0 à 2 OD |
< ±0,006 OD ±1,0 %, 0 à 3 OD |
< ±0,006 OD ±1,0 %, 0 à 2 OD < ±0,005 OD ±1,0 %, 0 à 2 OD |
< ±0,006 OD ±1,0 %, 0 à 3 OD < ±0,005 OD ±1,0 %, 0 à 3 OD |
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Linéaire |
Linéaire |
Linéaire |
Linéaire |
Linéaire |
Featured absorbance application notes
Notes d'application
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