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
- DNA-/RNA-/Proteinquantifizierung
- 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
- Immunoassays
- Kinetic ELISAs/Enzyme Assays
- Lowry
- Microbial Growth/MIC
- MTT & XTT Cell Viability Assay
SpectraMax ABS/ABS Plus Microplate Readers
Schnelle Absorptions-Detektion für eine große Bandbreite von Assays ohne Filterverwendung
- Kompaktes Design
- 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.
| WELLENLÄNGENBEREICHE |
| MICROPLATE TYPES |
| LESEGESCHWINDIGKEIT |
| KÜVETTENEINSCHUB |
| PHOTOMETRISCHE GENAUIGKEIT (Microplate/Cuvette) |
| SCHÜTTELN |
|
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
Mikroplatten-Reader 
An affordable, tunable microplate reader for 96 well plate formats |
VersaMax ELISA
Mikroplatten-Reader 
Bridges the gap between the affordability of filter-based readers and the flexibility of monochromator-based systems for 96 well format |
SpectraMax 190
Mikroplatten-Reader 
UV-Vis-Absorptions-Mikroplatten-Reader für bis zu 96 Proben im Endpunkt-, Kinetik- und Spektrum-Scan-Modus |
SpectraMax ABS
Mikroplatten-Reader 
Fast absorbance detection for a wide range of assays without the use of filters, using 96 and 384 well microplates |
SpectraMax Plus 384
Mikroplatten-Reader 
UV-visible absorbance microplate reader with ultrafast, full spectral range detection for cuvettes, 96 and 384 well microplates |
SpectraMax ABS Plus
Mikroplatten-Reader
Fast absorbance detection for a wide range of assays without the use of filters, using cuvettes, 96 and 384 well microplates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
190–1100 nm |
400–750 nm |
340–850 nm |
190–850 nm |
340–850 nm |
190–1000 nm |
190–1000 nm |
|
k. A. |
96-Well-Platten |
96-Well-Platten |
96-Well-Platten |
96-Well-Platten |
96- und 384-Well-Platten |
96- und 384-Well-Platten |
|
96 wells: 4 Sekunden |
96 wells: 40 Sekunden |
96 wells: 9 Sekunden |
96 wells: 9 Sekunden |
96 wells: 9 Sekunden |
96 well: 9/5 second 384 well: 29/16 second |
96 well: 9/5 second 384 well: 29/16 second |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
±0,005 A oder 1 % der Messung |
0,5 % bei 450 nm |
< ±0,006 OD ±1,0 %, 0–2 OD |
< ±0,006 OD ±1,0 %, 0–2 OD |
< ±0,006 OD ±1,0 %, 0–3 OD |
< ±0,006 OD ±1,0 %, 0–2 OD < ±0,005 OD ±1,0 %, 0–2 OD |
< ±0,006 OD ±1,0 %, 0–3 OD < ±0,005 OD ±1,0 %, 0–3 OD |
|
|
|
linear |
linear |
linear |
linear |
linear |
Featured absorbance application notes
Application notes
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Université Catholique de Louvain uses our SpectraMax absorbance and multi-mode readers to help fight biofilms.
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