“Jedi sword”: A based on laser pointer handheld optical molecular analyzer

Abstract

A prototype of a handheld optical molecular analyzer based on household laser pointers of medium power (50–200 mW) equipped with a focusing lens is proposed. Its operating principle is based on the dependence of the attenuation of the laser beam by chromophore, luminophore or suspension on the analyte concentration in the solution. The possibilities of the proposed device are demonstrated by the determination of riboflavin in an injection solution and acetylsalicylic acid and magnesium hydroxide in a Cardiomagnyl® drug. The accuracy of the results is confirmed by fluorimetric, photometric and nephelometric methods. The lower limit of detection of riboflavin, salicylic acid and magnesium hydroxide is 3.5 μg mL−1, 1.2·10−5 mol L−1, 0.4 g L−1 respectively. The linearity range of the calibration dependences obtained in our work is about 1.5 order. The relative standard deviation of the determination results is less than 0.1.