Temperature
Since the rate of endothermic chemical reactions increases with increasing temperature (approximately doubling for 10o C increase), and since reaction rate (not mixing) is the slower of the processes yielding FI readout, elevating of temperature within the flow channel and within the flow cell is an obvious tool for optimization of any flow-based assay. Yet, curiously, a majority of FI and SI) investigations have been carried out at a (seldom) defined temperature. While convenient, this approach should be reconsidered.
The reason for this important parameter is often neglected is, that in a laboratory environment the changes in ambient temperature gradual and small, and since the instruments are frequently and automatically calibrated, by analyzing series of known standers, changes due to variation of “room temperature” are thus compensated for.
There are, however, numerous examples of work, when the temperature of FI and SI systems was rigorously controlled, and elevated to increase the reaction rate, as documented in the following sections.
1.2.27.
"It doesn't make a difference what temperature a room is, it's always room temperature."
Steven Wright
