Reducible compounds and analytical compositions, elements and methods utilizing same

摘要

Certain reducible compounds are useful in analytical compositions, elements and methods, e.g. for assays of bacterial cells. These compounds comprise a moiety which provides a detectable species (e.g. a dye) when released from the compound in an environment of pH 9 or less (i.e. physiological pH). Structurally, the reducible compounds are aromatic derivatives or quinones having suitable substituents which promote varying amounts of moiety release at physiological pH. When reduced at about pH 7, the preferred compounds release at least 50% of the available detectable species within 30 minutes.