Description

α-Luciferin is a high-purity, synthetic substrate essential for bioluminescence reactions. This compound serves as the critical light-emitting molecule in firefly luciferase-based assays, enabling highly sensitive detection and quantification. It is primarily utilized by researchers and manufacturers in the life sciences, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries for applications ranging from ATP detection and gene expression analysis to high-throughput screening and in vivo imaging.

Application

• Bioluminescence Assays: Core substrate for firefly (Photinus pyralis) luciferase in reporter gene assays for studying gene regulation and promoter activity.
• ATP Detection & Quantification: Enables ultrasensitive measurement of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for cell viability, cytotoxicity, and microbial contamination testing.
• High-Throughput Screening (HTS): Used in drug discovery platforms to identify potential therapeutic compounds via luminescent readouts.
• In Vivo Imaging: Applied in preclinical research for non-invasive, real-time visualization of biological processes in live animal models.
• Diagnostic Kit Manufacturing: A key raw material in the production of diagnostic kits for clinical and research use, including those for hygiene monitoring.
• Enzyme Activity Studies: Employed to measure and characterize luciferase enzyme kinetics and stability.

Basic Information

Product Name	α-Luciferin
CAS No.	61369-27-5
Molecular Formula	C11H8N2O3S2
Molecular Weight	280.32 g/mol
Synonyms	D-(-)-Luciferin; Firefly Luciferin; (-)-Luciferin; (4S)-4,5-Dihydro-2-(6-hydroxy-2-benzothiazolyl)-4-thiazolecarboxylic acid; Beetle Luciferin; LH2; D-Luciferin
EINECS	Contact for details

Quality Control

Our α-Luciferin is manufactured under strict quality management systems to ensure batch-to-batch consistency and reliability for critical research and production applications. Each lot undergoes comprehensive analytical testing, including HPLC for purity and identity confirmation. A Certificate of Analysis (COA) detailing all specifications is provided with every shipment to support your quality assurance protocols.

Storage

Preserve in a tightly closed container, protected from light. Store at 2-8°C in a dry environment. This product is hygroscopic (moisture-sensitive) and light-sensitive. Allow the vial to equilibrate to room temperature before opening to minimize moisture condensation.

Specification

Item	Specification
Appearance	Yellow to orange powder
Identification (IR)	Conforms to reference spectrum
Purity (HPLC)	≥ 98.0%
Water Content (KF)	≤ 2.0%
Bioluminescence Activity	Conforms to reference standard

Note: Specifications can be tailored. Please contact us for the detailed technical data sheet of a specific grade.