Enhancement of chemiluminescent 1,2-dioxetane-based assays and kits for conducting said assays

Abstract

Chemiluminescent bioassays for the presence or concentration of an analyte in a sample use 1,2-dioxetanes as substrates for the enzyme of an enzyme complex that bind to the analyte. The chemiluminescence obtained from the decomposition of the dioxetane triggered by the enzyme through the formation of the corresponding 1,2-dioxetane oxyanion of the enzyme complex is enhanced by the addition of TBQ as an enhancement agent. Other polymeric quaternary onium salts can be used as enhancement agents in conjunction with enhancement additives which improve the ability of the enhancement agent to form hydrophobic regions in the aqueous sample, in which regions the 1,2-dioxetane oxyanion and its chemiluminescent decomposition products can be sequestered. A kit for performing such assays is also provided.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to the enhancement of chemiluminescent assays for analytes in a sample, generally a biological sample, based on the use of 1,2-dioxetanes as chemiluminescent substrates for enzyme-labeled targets or probes. The chemiluminescence of the dioxetane reporter molecule can be enhanced by the addition of a water-soluble quaternary polymer. Further enhancement can be achieved by additionally including in the sample an additive which improves the ability of the water-soluble quaternary polymer to sequester the dioxetane within hydrophobic regions formed by the water-soluble polymer thereby suppressing or avoiding water-induced light quenching reactions.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRIOR ART

Chemiluminescent assays for the detection of the presence or concentration of an analyte in a sample, generally a biological sample, have received increasing attention in recent years as a fast, sensitive and easily read method of conducting bioassays. In such assays, a chemiluminescent compound is used as a reporter molecule, the reporter molecule chemiluminescing in response to the presence or the absence of the suspected analyte.

A wide variety of chemiluminescent compounds have been identified for use as reporter molecules. One class of compounds receiving particular attention is the 1,2-dioxetanes. 1,2-dioxetanes can be stabilized by the addition of a stabilizing group to at least one of the carbon molecules of the dioxetane ring. An exemplary stabilizing group is spiro-bound adamantane. Such dioxetanes can be further substituted at the other carbon position with an aryl moiety, preferably phenyl or naphthyl, the aryl moiety being substituted by an oxygen which is in turn bound to an enzyme-labile group. When contacted by an enzyme capable of cleaving the labile group, the oxyanion of the dioxetane is formed, leading to decomposition of the dioxetane and spontaneous chemiluminescence. A wide variety of such dioxetanes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,960. That patent focuses on dioxetanes which bear a substituent on the adamantyl-stabilizing group, such as halo substituents, alkyl groups, alkoxy groups and the like. Such dioxetanes represent an advance over earlier-recognized dioxetanes, such as 3-(4-methoxyspiro[1,2-dioxetane-3,2'-tricyclo]-3.3.1.1.sup.3,7 ]decan]-4-yl)phenyl phosphate, and in particular, the disodium salt thereof, generally identified as AMPPD. The. chlorine-substituted counterpart, which converts the stabilizing adamantyl group from a passive group which allows the decomposition reaction to go forward to an active group which gives rise to enhanced chemiluminescence signal due to faster decomposition of the dioxetane anion, greater signal-to-noise values and better sensitivity, is referred to as CSPD. Other dioxetanes, such as the phenyloxy-.beta.-D-galactopyranoside (AMPGD) are also well known, and can be used as reporter molecules. These dioxetanes, and their preparation, do not constitute an aspect of the invention herein, per se.

Assays employing these dioxetanes can include conventional assays, such as Southern, Northern and Western blot assays, DNA sequencing, ELISA, as well as other liquid phase and mixed phase assays. In general, the assay consists of binding the target, if present in the sample, with a complex bearing an enzyme capable of cleaving the enzyme labile group of the dioxetane. In DNA assays, the target is bound by a DNA probe with an enzyme covalently linked thereto, the probe being admixed with the sample immobilized on a membrane, to permit hybridization. Thereafter, excess enzyme complex is removed, and dioxetane added to the hybridized sample. If hybridization has occurred, the dioxetane will be triggered by the bound enzyme, leading to decomposition of the dioxetane, and chemiluminescence. In liquid phase assays, the enzyme is frequently conjugated or complexed with an antibody responsive to the target analyte, unbound complex being removed, and the dioxetane added, chemiluminescence being produced by the decomposition of the dioxetane triggered by the amount of enzyme present. In cases where the enzyme itself is the target analyte, the dioxetane need only be added to the sample. Again, a wide variety of assay modalities has been developed, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,960, as well as U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,614.

It has been well known that light-quenching reactions will occur if the dioxetane decomposition goes forward in a protic solvent, such as water. As the samples suspected of containing or lacking the analyte in question are generally biological samples, these assays generally take place in an aqueous environment. The light-quenching reactions therefor may substantially reduce the chemiluminescence actually observed from the decomposition of the dioxetane. In assays involving low-level detections of particular analytes, such as nucleic acids, viral antibodies and other proteins, particularly those prepared in solution or in solution-solid phase systems, the reduced chemiluminescence observed, coupled with unavoidable background signals, may reduce the sensitivity of the assay such that extremely low levels cannot be detected. One method of addressing this problem is the addition of water-soluble macromolecules, which may include both natural and synthetic molecules, as is disclosed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,772. The disclosure of this patent is incorporated herein, by reference. To similar effect, U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,614 addresses the addition of various water-soluble "enhancement" agents to the sample, although the patent speaks to the problem of suppressing non-specific binding in solid state assays. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,960, preferred water-soluble polymeric quaternary ammonium salts such as poly(vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride) (TMQ) poly(vinyl-benzyltributylammonium chloride) (TBQ) and poly(vinylbenzyl-dimethylbenzylammonium chloride) (BDMQ) are identified as water-soluble polymeric quaternary ammonium salts which enhance chemiluminescence by the suppression of non-specific binding.

Notwithstanding the advances in technology addressed by these assays, it remains a goal of the industry to provide chemiluminescent assays of greater sensitivity, to determine the presence, concentration or both of an analyte in a sample which is generally biological, and therefor, in an assay in an aqueous environment. 1,2-dioxetane compounds have already been developed which show excellent potential as reporter molecules for such chemiluminescent assays. To be used in extremely low-level detection, however, and/or to improve reliability to provide for machine readability, it is necessary to further improve the enhancement of the chemiluminescence of the 1,2-dioxetane molecules produced in aqueous preparations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Applicants' invention addresses the above goals in two embodiments. As noted above, it has been previously recognized that the addition of water-soluble polymeric ammonium salts to the aqueous sample improves or enhances chemiluminescence of 1,2-dioxetanes. Applicants have discovered that this enhancement is achieved, at least in part, through the formation of hydrophobic regions in which the dioxetane oxyanion is sequestered. Decomposition in these hydrophobic regions enhances chemiluminescence, because water-based light quenching reactions are suppressed. Among the recognized water-soluble quaternary polymer salts employed, TBQ provides unexpectedly superior enhancement, through this hydrophobic region-forming mechanism.

The chemiluminescent enhancement achieved by the addition of water-soluble polymeric quaternary polymer salts can be further improved by the inclusion, in the aqueous sample, of an additive, which improves the ability of the quaternary polymeric salt to sequester the dioxetane oxyanion and the resulting excited state emitter reporting molecule in a hydrophobic region. Thus, the combination of the polymeric quaternary salt and the additive, together, produce an increase in enhancement far beyond that produced separately by the addition of the polymeric quaternary salt, or the additive, which, when a surfactant or water-soluble polymer itself, may enhance chemiluminescence to a limited degree. The synergistic combination of the polymeric quaternary salt and additives gives enhancement effects making low-level, reliable detection possible even in aqueous samples through the use of 1,2-dioxetanes. The polymeric quaternary salts, coupled with the additives, are sufficiently powerful enhancers to show dramatic 4 and 5-fold increases at levels below 0.005 percent down to 0.001 percent. Increased signal, and improved signal/noise ratios are achieved by the addition of further amounts of the polymeric quaternary salt, the additive, or both, in amounts up to as large as 50 percent or more. In general, levels for both polymeric quaternary salt and additive can be preferably within the range of 0.05-25 percent, more preferably from 0.1-15 percent by weight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph comparing the signal to noise ratio obtained by chemiluminescent decomposition of CSPD in the presence of the indicated enhancement agents.

FIG. 2 is a graph comparison of the signal (RLU) obtained from CSPD chemiluminescent decomposition in the presence of the indicated enhancement agents.

FIG. 3 is a graph comparison of the chemiluminescent (RLU) obtained from the decomposition of CSPD in the presence of zelec and/or TBQ under the indicated conditions.

FIG. 4 is a graph comparison of the signal/noise ratio obtained from the chemiluminescent decomposition of CSPD in the presence of zelec and/or TBQ under the indicated conditions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The assays and kits of this invention employ water-soluble chemiluminescent 1,2-dioxetanes. As noted above, these dioxetanes are well established in the art, and their identity and preparation does not constitute a novel aspect of this invention, per se. In general, any chemiluminescent dioxetane which exhibits sufficient stability in water to conduct the assay, and which may be caused to decompose and chemiluminesce by interaction with an enzyme, and cleavage, by the enzyme, of an enzyme labile group inducing the decomposition, can be used in connection with this invention. Typically, the 1,2-dioxetanes useful in this invention will have the general formula: ##STR1## R.sup.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl or C.sub.1-12 aryl or aralkyl; Y is phenyl or naphthyl;

R.sup.2 is meta-substituted or non-conjugated on Y with respect to the dioxetane, and is OX, wherein; X is an enzyme cleavable group which, when cleaved, leaves the dioxetane phenoxy or naphthoxy anion; Z=H, Cl, other halogens, or alkoxy groups.

Preferred dioxetanes include AMPPD, and in particular, its disodium salt, as well as CSPD and its disodium salt. Methods of preparing these dioxetanes are disclosed in the aforereferenced commonly-assigned patents, as well as, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,162, assigned to Wayne State University. The preparation, purification and isolation of the dioxetanes does not constitute a novel aspect of the invention disclosed and claimed herein per se.

The dioxetane is added to the sample which has been mixed with an enzyme complex which will bind to or otherwise co-act with the target analyte, if present in the sample. The dioxetane is therefore the substrate for the enzyme, the enzyme-catalyzed cleavage of the labile groups of the substrate from the body of the dioxetane resulting in the unstable oxyanion, and subsequent decomposition of the dioxetane. Where the target analyte is the enzyme itself, the dioxetane is added directly to the sample, either as drawn, or after preliminary purification to reduce turbidity. Where the target analyte is other than the trigger enzyme, the enzyme is complexed with a binding moiety, such as DNA probe or antibody, so as to bind to any target analyte present in the sample. The amount of chemiluminescence detected will be responsive both to the analyte in the sample, and the amount of analyte in the sample.

To enhance the chemiluminescent signal, and improve signal/noise ratio to permit discrimination between background signals and positive target-responsive signals at very low levels, a water-soluble enhancement agent is added to the sample prior or concomitant with the introduction of the dioxetane.

The enhancement agents of this invention, are based, in general, on polymeric onium salts, particularly quaternary salts based on phosphonium, sulfonium and, preferably, ammonium moieties. The polymers have the general formula I shown below: ##STR2##

In this formula each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 can be a straight or branched chain unsubstituted alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, inclusive, e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, hexyl, or the like; a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, inclusive, substituted with one or more hydroxy, alkoxy, e.g., methoxy, ethoxy, benzyloxy or polyoxethylethoxy, aryloxy, e.g., phenoxy, amino or substituted amino, e.g., methylamino, amido, e.g., acetamido or ureido, e.g., phenyl ureido; or fluoroalkane or fluoroaryl, e.g., heptafluorobutyl, groups, an unsubstituted monocycloalkyl group having from 3 to 12 carbon ring carbon atoms, inclusive, e.g., cyclohexyl or cyclooctyl, a substituted monocycloalkyl group having from 3 to 12 ring carbon atoms, inclusive, substituted with one or more alkyl, alkoxy or fused benzo groups, e.g., methoxycyclohexyl or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl, a polycycloalkyl group having 2 or more fused rings, each having from 5 to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive, unsubstituted or substituted with one or more alkyl, alkoxy or aryl groups, e.g., 1-adamantyl or 3-phenyl-1-adamantyl, an aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl group having at least one ring and from 6 to 20 carbon atoms in toto, unsubstituted or substituted with one or more alkyl, aryl, fluorine or hydroxy groups, e.g., phenyl, naphthyl, pentafluorophenyl, ethylphenyl, benzyl, hydroxybenzyl, phenylbenzyl or dehydroabietyl; at least two of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, together with the quaternary nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, can form a saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted or substituted nitrogen-containing, nitrogen and oxygen-containing or nitrogen and sulfur-containing ring having from 3 to 5 carbon atoms, inclusive, and 1 to 3 heteroatoms, inclusive, and which may be benzoannulated, e.g., 1-pyridinium, 1-(3-alkyl or aralkyl)imidazolium, morpholino, alkyl morpholinium, alkylpiperidinium, N-acylpiperidinium, piperidino or acylpiperidino, benzoxazolium, benzthiazolium or benzamidazolium.

The symbol X.sup.- represents a counterion which can include, alone or in combination, moieties such as halide, i.e., fluoride, chloride, bromide or iodide, sulfate, alkylsulfonate, e.g., methylsulfonate, arylsulfonate, e.g., p-toluenesulfonate, substituted arylsulfonate, e.g., anilinonaphthylenesulfonate (various isomers), diphenylanthracenesulfonate, perchlorate, alkanoate, e.g., acetate, arylcarboxylate, e.g., fluorescein or fluorescein derivatives, benzoheterocyclic arylcarboxylate, e.g., 7-diethylamino-4-cyanocoumarin-3-carboxylate, organic dianions such as p-terephthalate may also be represented by X.sup.-.

The symbol n represents a number such that the molecular weight of such poly(vinylbenzyl quaternary ammonium salts) will range from about 500 to about 500,000 (weight average), and preferably from about 20,000 to about 70,000, as determined by intrinsic viscosity or LALLS techniques.

Methods for the preparation of these polymers, related copolymers and the related starting materials where M is nitrogen are disclosed in G. D, Jones et al, Journal of Polymer Science, 25, 201, 1958; in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,780,604; 3,178,396; 3,770,439; 4,308,335; 4,340,522; 4,424,326 and German Offenlegunsschrift 2,447,611.

The symbol M may also represent phosphorous or sulfur whereupon the corresponding sulfonium or phosphonium polymers have been described in the prior art: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,236,820 and 3,065,272.

Methods of preparation of the polymers of this invention are set forth in the referenced U.S. Patents, as well as U.S. application Ser. No. 07/811,620 and do not constitute any aspect of this invention, per se.

Copolymers containing 2 or more different pendant onium groups may also be utilized in the invention described herein. ##STR3## The symbols X, M', R.sup.1', R.sup.2', R.sup.3' are as described above for X, M, R.sup.1 -R.sup.3. The symbols Y and Z represent the mole fraction of the individual monomers comprising the copolymer. The symbols Y and Z may thus individually vary from 0.01 to 0.99, with the sum always equalling one.

As preferred moieties, M is N, and R.sup.1 -R.sup.3 are individually, independently, alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl (e.g. adamantane) aralkyl or aryl, having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, unsubstituted or further substituted with hydroxyl, amino, amido, ureido groups, or combine to form via a spiro linkage to the M atom a heterocyclic (aromatic, aliphatic or mixed, optionally including other N, S or O heteroatoms) onium moiety.

Applicants have discovered that poly(vinylbenzyltributylammonium chloride), alone, gives unpredictably superior enhancement in combination with a chemiluminescent assay based on the use of a 1,2-dioxetane reporter molecule, as described above. In point of fact, the improvement in chemiluminescent signal obtained by the addition of TBQ, alone, was generally on the order of at least twice the improvement obtained through addition of the next best enhancement agent, BDMQ. For completeness, TBQ was also evaluated, alone, versus cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, another art recognized enhancement agent.

Evaluation of TBQ Alone as an Enhancement Agent

Protocol for the evaluation of various enhancers

The enhancer samples were prepared from stock solutions in a 0.1M diethanolamine, 1 mM MgCl.sub.2, pH 9.5 buffer. CSPD or AMPPD was added to 0.5 ml of an enhancer solution (final dioxetane concentration, 0.4 mM). The background was recorded at room temperature in a Berthold 952T luminometer 10 and 60 minutes after the dioxetane addition. Subsequently, alkaline phosphatase was added (final enzyme concentration, 9.35.times.10.sup.-14 M), and the chemiluminescent signal was measured at 10, 30 and 60 (not for all samples) minutes as a 5 sec. integral. All buffers contained 1 mM MgCl.sub.2.

The half-time to plateau was determined as follows: 0.4 mM AMPPD in the desired buffer was preincubated at 37.degree. C. or 30.degree. C. and alkaline phosphatase was then added to each tube (final concentration 4.1.times.10.sup.-13 M). The tube was inserted into a Turner model 20-E Luminometer and the half-time to steady state light emission was calculated. TABLE 1______________________________________HALF-LIFE OF AMPPDEffect of CTAB, TBQ, BDMQ, pH and TemperatureHalf-Time to Plateau**pH Buffer alone + CTAB + TBQ + BDMQ______________________________________30.degree. C., 0.1M Sodium Carbonate9.0 3.66 17.5 3.48 4.509.6 2.07 9.8 2.79 2.6210.0 1.62 7.4 2.17 2.1530.degree. C., 0.75M Sodium Carbonate9.0 4.19 33.5 6.03 4.849.6 2.12 19.3 4.15 2.8210.0 1.67 13.3 2.84 2.2737.degree. C., 0.1M Sodium Carbonate9.0 2.37 10.1 2.53 2.529.6 1.34 5.36 1.65 1.4810.0 1.06 4.06 1.29 1.2837.degree. C., 0.75M Sodium Carbonate9.0 2.37 22.0 3.33 2.819.6 1.29 9.6 2.29 1.6210.0 0.95 6.5 1.61 1.33______________________________________ TABLE 2__________________________________________________________________________CHEMILUMINESCENCE OF AMPPDSIGNAL AND BACKGROUNDEffect of CTAB, TBQ, BDMQ, pH and Temperature Plus Plus Background* Alk Phos** Background* Alk Phos**pH TLU TLU (time to max) S/N TLU TLU (time to max) S/N__________________________________________________________________________30.degree. C., 0.1M Sodium CarbonateBuffer Alone Plus CTAB9.0 2.0 55.6 (31.6) 27.7 1.7 175.9 (93.0) 105.99.6 2.0 50.7 (12.5) 25.0 1.6 114.1 (61.5) 69.610.0 2.0 30.3 (10.8) 15.5 1.6 61.2 (42.4) 37.3Plus TBQ Plus BDMQ9.0 2.7 1110.8 (22.0) 405.4 2.4 875.0 (32.0) 372.39.6 3.8 1106.3 (33.8) 294.9 2.1 559.0 (15.0) 267.410.0 2.4 671.2 (18.0) 283.2 2.3 282.8 (14.3) 123.030.degree. C., 0.75M Sodium CarbonateBuffer Alone Plus CTAB9.0 1.9 24.4 (30.7) 12.6 1.7 79.1 (88.5) 46.59.6 2.0 17.4 (15.4) 8.8 1.7 42.7 (115.3) 25.710.0 2.0 12.6 (9.8) 6.4 1.7 29.2 (80.3) 17.7Plus TBQ Plus BDMQ9.0 2.0 254.6 (43.7) 127.3 2.1 191.5 (27.0) 93.09.6 2.1 264.2 (29.7) 124.6 2.0 138.1 (18.6) 70.810.0 2.1 272.8 (19.3) 128.7 2.1 117.6 (12.9) 57.137.degree. C., 0.1M Sodium CarbonateBuffer Alone Plus CTAB9.0 4.1 70.1 (17.2) 16.9 3.4 195.5 (53.7) 57.59.6 4.2 61.6 (9.0) 14.7 3.3 132.2 (30.7) 40.110.0 4.1 41.0 (6.9) 10.0 3.3 76.6 (22.0) 23.2Plus TBQ Plus BDMQ9.0 4.5 1687.4 (21.0) 371.7 4.4 900.0 (14.2) 204.59.6 4.4 1379.3 (11.4) 314.2 4.6 578.3 (8.7) 125.410.0 4.7 824.3 (7.8) 176.9 4.3 305.8 (6.5) 71.037.degree. C., 0.75M Sodium CarbonateBuffer Alone Plus CTAB9.0 4.1 27.3 (14.8) 6.6 3.5 93.4 (109.5) 26.69.6 4.2 19.8 (8.2) 4.8 3.4 51.7 (56.3) 15.210.0 4.3 15.0 (5.6) 3.5 3.4 30.3 (37.1) 9.0Plus TBQ Plus BDMQ9.0 4.2 410.7 (25.0) 97.3 4.3 293.1 (18.6) 68.89.6 4.4 416.0 (16.2) 94.8 4.3 230.8 (9.0) 53.910.0 4.2 402.2 (10.4) 95.8 4.2 173.5 (6.9) 41.4__________________________________________________________________________

As can be seen from the foregoing enhancement analysis, TBQ offers sharp improvements in chemiluminescent enhancement, and elevated S/N, as compared with the dioxetane alone, or with other art-recognized enhancement agents. Thus, the addition to the sample of TBQ, alone, provides substantial enhancement of the chemiluminescent signal and S/N values obtained. In point of fact, Applicants have found that the addition of amounts as low as below 0.005 percent down to 0.001 percent, by weight, based on the sample volume, of TBQ results in an enhancement of the chemiluminescent signal 4-5 fold over the signal obtained from the dioxetane without any enhancer.

Addition of Enhancement Agent and Enhancement Additive

The polymeric quaternary salts that constitute the enhancement agents of this invention enhance chemiluminescence in a protic environment by forming hydrophobic regions in which the dioxetane moiety, resulting from the enzyme as the oxyanion, and the subsequently formed excited state are sequestered. By providing a hydrophobic region, light-quenching water reactions are reduced or avoided all together, resulting in an overall improvement of chemiluminescence. Applicants have discovered that use of an enhancement additive, in addition to the polymeric quaternary salt enhancement agents of the claimed invention, further enhances the observed chemiluminescent signal, and improves S/N values. The enhancement additives of the claimed invention show marked improvement, in connection with the enhancement agents, at very low levels. The addition of as much as 0.005 percent, by weight, based on the sample volume, of an enhancement additive further improves the strength of the chemiluminescent signal obtained by use of the enhancement agent, while not increasing the background levels. As with the enhancement agents, the additives can be used in amounts as high as practically useful. In general, amounts greater than 50 percent, by weight, based on the sample impede assay performance. Accordingly, inclusion of both the enhancement agent, and the enhancement additive, in amounts each of 0.005 percent, by weight, based on the sample volume, up to and including a total of 50 percent, by weight, based on the sample volume, of both, are within the scope of this invention. The total of agent and additive should not exceed 50 percent.

The function of the enhancement additive is to improve the ability of the enhancement agent to form hydrophobic regions in which the dioxetane oxyanion and the resulting emitter can be sequestered, permitting decomposition and chemiluminescence in the absence of water, and therefore, reducing light-quenching reactions caused thereby. The enhancement additives can be drawn from any of a wide variety of compounds. In general, the enhancement additives may, but need not necessarily, enhance the chemiluminescent signal obtained, although not nearly so strongly as the enhancement agents of this invention. Thus, the addition of conventional surfactants, largely detergents, improves the ability of the enhancement agent to form a hydrophobic region which is relatively stable. These surfactants may be cationic, anionic, zwitterionic or neutral. Another class of enhancement additives which when added to the solution appear to improve the ability of the enhancement agent to sequester the active dioxetane species, and in any event, lead to further enhancement of the chemiluminescent signal, include negatively charged salts. A third class of enhancement additives also active at very low concentrations are conventional solvents, including a wide variety of alcohols. Another conventional solvent, turpentine, is also useful in this role.

A fourth effective class of enhancement additives are non-quaternary water-soluble polymers, such as poly(2-ethyl-Z-oxazoline), (PolyOx). While these polymers themselves may induce limited enhancement of the chemiluminescent signal without increase in background noise, when added in conjunction with the polymeric quaternary onium salt enhancement agents of this invention, sharp improvements in the chemiluminescent signal observed are obtained.

To demonstrate the improvement obtained by the addition of an enhancement additive to the enhancement agent, buffered dioxetane solutions were provided with TBQ as well as sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, a surfactant, poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and octyl-.beta.-glucoside. The results, set forth below in Tables 3 and 4, are obtained with CSPD and enhancer compositions, as indicated.

ABBREVIATIONS USED IN TABLES

TBQ polyvinylbenzyltributylquaternary ammonium chloride SDBS sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate PolyOx poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline), MW 500,000 OcGluc octyl-.beta.-glucoside TABLE 3__________________________________________________________________________ SDBS/TBQTBQ, mg/ml SDBS, mg/ml Noise, 10 min SIGNAL 10.degree. SIGNAL 30.degree. SIGNAL 60.degree. S/N 10.degree. S/N S/N__________________________________________________________________________ 60.degree.1 0.00 0.00 248 13829 14699 14007 56 59 572 2.50 0.00 342 804466 1030372 952221 2352 3013 27843 1.00 0.00 369 870920 1069979 1037251 2360 2900 28114 0.50 0.00 327 632661 751145 691749 1935 2297 21155 2.50 0.25 391 701661 1761807 2490243 1795 4506 63696 1.00 0.10 403 956822 2332764 3060310 2374 5788 75947 0.50 0.05 399 577058 1410546 2000811 1448 3535 50158 2.50 0.50 431 854086 2218583 3826962 1982 5148 88799 1.00 0.20 416 932155 2245043 3513769 2241 5397 844710 0.50 0.10 413 797925 1861389 2834250 1932 4507 886311 1.00 0.30 424 752188 1908633 3161797 1774 4501 745712 0.50 0.15 401 847070 2109424 3392238 2112 5260 845913 1.00 0.40 575 829578 2217335 3785597 1443 3856 658414 0.50 0.20 418 722581 1879004 3094497 1729 4495 740315 1.00 0.50 512 886708 2310338 3885348 1732 4512 758916 0.50 0.25 518 827050 2144813 3579020 1597 4141 690917 0.75 0.50 492 707556 2012165 3549864 1438 4090 721518 0.75 0.25 524 732565 1858120 2959896 1398 3546 564919 0.75 0.10 489 859610 1968977 2895076 1758 4027 592020 0.75 0.05 458 873340 1855213 2364623 1915 4068 518621 0.50 0.50 254 9493 30130 56946 37 119 22422 0.50 0.25 531 667565 1959811 3045419 1257 3691 573523 0.50 0.10 463 860156 2123923 3023727 1858 4587 653124 0.50 0.05 421 863325 1873770 2390762 2051 4451 5879__________________________________________________________________________ TABLE 4__________________________________________________________________________ Polyox-Detergents NoiseTBQ, 2ndmg/ml Run Signal 10.degree. Signal 30.degree. Signal 60.degree. S/N 10.degree. S/N S/N__________________________________________________________________________ 60.degree.1 0.00 236 14796 14981 15108 63 64 642 1.00 313 707879 846358 822417 2262 2704 26283 0.50 290 734283 830370 797345 2532 2863 27494 0.00 20 mg/ml PolyOx 297 35058 39538 39785 118 133 1345 1.00 20 mg/ml PolyOx 589 1302110 1706716 1710707 2228 2913 29106 0.50 " 539 1430199 1892120 1851086 2652 3511 34327 0.50 " 5.0 mg/ml OcGluc 533 672726 862412 863895 1262 1618 16218 0.50 " 2.5 mg/ml OcGluc 432 894130 1083662 1047405 2070 2508 24259 0.50 " 1.0 mg/ml OcGluc 597 1244639 1585255 1503640 2085 2655 251910 0.50 " 0.5 mg/ml OcGluc 538 1333745 1679422 1607788 2479 3122 298811 0.50 1 mg/ml Tween20 4.0 mg/ml OcGluc 0.5 mg/ml SDBS 255 16006 45080 84326 63 177 33112 0.50 " 2.5 mg/ml OcGluc 0.25 mg/ml SDBS 515 669124 1676678 2761411 1299 3256 536213 0.50 " 1.0 mg/ml OcGluc 0.1 mg/ml SDBS 878 965179 2072592 2826307 1099 2361 321914 0.50 " 0.5 mg/ml OcGluc 0.05 mg/ml SDBS 770 916367 1818521 2278542 1190 2362 295915 1.00 " 0.5 mg/ml SDBS 669 1145360 2693529 4466223 1712 4026 667616 1.00 " 0.25 mg/ml SDBS 685 1087146 2341814 3439391 1587 3419 502117 1.00 " 0.1 mg/ml SDBS 413 1457360 2768643 3541193 3529 6704 857418 1.00 " 0.05 mg/ml SDBS 453 1091917 1889501 2266804 2410 4171 5004__________________________________________________________________________

As is clearly reflected in the foregoing results, the addition of a variety of enhancement additives to the TBQ enhancement agent, in varying amounts, substantially improves chemiluminescent signal and S/N.

Further improvements in chemiluminescent signal and S/N can be obtained by combining two or more additives.

As reflected in the foregoing results (Table 4), although polyox yields some nominal improvement in an enhanced signal, as an enhancement additive in connection with TBQ, improved results are obtained. It should be noted that these results were obtained according to the protocol set forth above with regard to the assessment of TBQ, using AMPPD as a dioxetane.

Improvements in enhancement are obtained by the addition of TBQ, alone, or in particular, together with an enhancement additive, independent of the dioxetane identity, provided the dioxetane is a chemiluminescent one of the type suitable for use as described above. Thus, TBQ is used efficaciously in connection with both CSPD and AMPPD. Further, as noted, enhancement additives can be used in connection with TBQ to further improve both signal strength, and S/N values. One particular enhancement additive giving excellent results in connection with TBQ and CSPD is available from DuPont Corporation, under the trademark "Zelec", sold as an anti-static agent. The composition of Zelec is believed to be maintained as a trade secret, that includes turpentine, N-octylalcohol, water, isopropyl alcohol, sodium acetate, sodium oleyl sulfate, and TS compound or compounds identified as NJ Trade Secret Registry Number 00850201001-5400P. The Material Safety Data Sheet for the Zelec anti-stat is identified by No. 5909PP. As set forth herein below, combinations of Zelec and TBQ, or TBQ copolymers, give substantial improvements and results. AMPPD and CSPD alone, as well as together with BDMQ as an enhancement agent, or in the alternative, Zelec without an enhancement agent, are included for purposes of comparison.

TABLE 5______________________________________ 10 Minutes 30 Minutes After Enzyme After EnzymeDioxetane, Polymer Noise Signal S/N Signal S/N______________________________________AMPPD 424 108,203 26 15,173 36CSPD 281 16,350 58 16,581 59AMPPD, BDMQ 334 148,273 444 273,770 820(1 mg/ml)CSPD, TBQ 431 757,552 1,758 970,097 2,251(1 mg/ml)AMPPD, Zelec DP 529 12,596 24 26,622 50(1 mg/ml)AMPPD, Zelec DP 494 11,275 23 27,775 56(2.5 mg/ml)CSPD, Zelec DP 273 16,687 61 31,172 114(2.5 mg/ml)AMPPD, BDMQ 725 363,815 502 834,997 1,152(1 mg/ml),Zelec DP (1 mg/ml)AMPPD, BDMQ 900 469,637 522 1,334,310 1,483(1 mg/ml),Zelec DP(2.5 mg/ml)AMPPD, TBQ 1,077 431,674 401 1,311,966 1,218(1 mg/ml),Zelec DP(2.5 mg/ml)CSPD, BDMQ 428 1,119,735 2,616 2,560,207 5,982(1 mg/ml),Zelec DP(2.5 mg/ml)CSPD, TBQ 508 1,563,198 3,077 3,836,680 7,553(1 mg/ml),Zelec DP(2.5 mg/ml)______________________________________ Buffer: 0.1M diethanolamine, 1 mM MgCl.sub.2, pH 9.5 Dioxetane concentration: 0.4 mM Alkaline phosphatase concentration: 9,35 .times. 10.sup.-14 M Luminometer: Berthold 952T Data: 5 second RLU Combinations of Enhancement Agent and Enhancement Additive

As noted previously, TBQ, alone, gives impressive improvements in observed chemiluminescence. TBQ in conjunction with an enhancement additive which improves the ability of TBQ to form hydrophobic regions in which chemiluminescent dioxetane species are sequestered further improves both chemiluminescent signal enhancement, and S/N ratio. It would of course be less desirable to improve the signal strength, if noise increased as well. The foregoing data clearly demonstrates that noise is maintained at a low level, when using commercially available dioxetanes, available from Tropix, Bedford, Mass. The improvements are far beyond those that could be expected by reason of the addition of TBQ alone, or the addition of the enhancement additive, alone, the additive occasionally having some, but generally modest, enhancement effects in the absence of the polymeric quaternary onium salt enhancement agent of the claimed invention.

To further demonstrate the improvements obtainable by using the polymeric quaternary onium salt enhancement agents of the claimed invention in combination with enhancement additives which can improve the ability of the enhancement agent to form hydrophobic regions in which chemiluminescent species are sequestered, a wide variety of combinations of enhancement agent, and one or more enhancement additives were prepared and evaluated for chemiluminescence. These enhancement agents are drawn from a wide variety of compound classes, including surfactants, negatively charged salts, conventional solvents, and water-soluble polymers. The results are reflected on the following pages.

The following method was used to evaluate various enhancer systems. Samples (0.5 ml) of each enhancer formulations were prepared from concentrated stock solutions. The buffer used was 0.1M diethanolamine, 1 mM MgCl.sub.2, pH 9.5. After the enhancer formulation was prepared, CSPD was added (final dioxetane concentration 0.04 mM). The background was then measured at room temperature in a Berthold 952T luminometer at approximately 10 minutes after substrate addition and at 1 hour. Next, alkaline phosphatase was added (final concentration, 9.35.times.10.sup.-14 M) and the chemiluminescent signal (5 second RLU) was measured at 10, 30 and 60 (sometimes) minutes.

______________________________________AMPA-8 aminomethylated polyacrylamide, 8% solidsAMPA-5 aminomethylated polyacrylamide, 5% solidsAMPA-3 aminomethylated polyacrylamide, 3% solidsBDMCAC benzyldimethylcetyl ammonium chlorideBDMDAB benzyldimethyldodecyl ammonium bromideBDMTDAC benzyldimethyltetradecyl ammonium chlorideBDMQ poly(vinylbenzyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride)BDMQ/TBQ BDMQ copolymerized with TBQBenz-PEI benzylated polyethylenimine (MW 70,000)BOP benzotriazol-1-yloxytris-(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphateCHAPS (3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1- propanesulfonate)CHAPSO (3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-2-hydroxy-1- propanesulfonate)CTAB cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromideDMQ-TEQ poly(vinylbenzyldimethyldodecyl ammonium chloride) copolymerized with poly(vinylbenzyltriethylammonium chloride)HDTBPB hexadecyltributyl phosphonium bromideOcGluc octyl-.beta.-glucosideP-DMDMPC poly(1,1-dimethyl-3,5-dimethylene-piperidinium chloride)PEI polyethyleniminePEO poly(ethylene oxide) (MW 7,000,000)PO23LE polyoxyethylene-23-lauryl etherPolyOx poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)PPG polypropylene glycolPTHF poly(tetrahydrofuran) (MW 250)PVA polyvinyl alcoholPVEE poly(vinyl ethyl ether)PVME poly(vinyl methyl ether)SBS sodium benzyl sulfateSDS sodium dodecyl sulfateSDBS sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonateTBQ polyvinylbenzyltributyl ammonium chlorideTBQ/THQ TBQ copolymerized with poly(vinylbenzyltrihexyl ammonium chloride)TPP/TBQ poly(vinylbenzyltriphenylphosphonium chloride) copolymerized with TBQTPP/BDMQ poly(vinylbenzyltriphenylphosphonium chloride) copolymerized with BDMQ______________________________________ TABLE 6__________________________________________________________________________CSPD Signal S/NAdditive Concentration Noise 10 min 30 min 60 min 10 min 30 min 60 min__________________________________________________________________________1. none 282 17417 17705 62 632. BDMQ 1 mg/ml 536 369711 419173 690 7823. TBQ 1 mg/ml 662 873852 1116942 1320 16874. Zelec DP 2.5 .mu.l/ml 508 1563198 3836680 3077 7552 TBQ 1 mg/ml5. polyvinyl alcohol 0.1 mg/ml 539 1004417 1281062 1863 2377 TBQ 1 mg/ml6. isopropanol 1 mg/ml 574 962628 1271409 1677 2215 TBQ 1 mg/ml7. 2-octanol 10 mg/ml 568 1036203 1362463 1822 2399 TBQ 1 mg/ml8. Zelec DP 2.5 .mu.l/ml 927 837481 2586843 903 1860 SDS 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml9. Zelec DP 2.5 .mu.l/ml 726 735959 2118539 1014 2918 SDS 1 mg/ml BDMQ 1 mg/ml10. Zelec DP 2.5 .mu.l/ml 853 594827 1586672 697 1860 Tween-20 5 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml Zelec DP 2.5 .mu.l/ml 1129 545747 1289720 483 1142 Tween-20 0.01 mg/ml BDMQ 1 mg/ml Zelec DP 2.5 .mu.l/ml 1112 545295 1222221 490 1099 Tween-20 0.05 mg/ml BDMQ 1 mg/ml Zelec DP 2.5 .mu.l/ml 1338 957409 2375419 716 1775 Tween-20 0.01 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml Zelec DP 2.5 .mu.l/ml 1097 969399 2345374 884 2138 Tween-20 0.05 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml TBQ/THQ 1 mg/ml 9997 5429086 8543357 543 855 (35 mole % THQ) CTAB 0.05 mg/ml isopropanol 10 mg/ml 340 435740 533074 1282 1568 BDMQ 1 mg/ml 2-octanol 10 mg/ml 365 405753 510671 1112 1399 BDMQ 1 mg/ml Zelec DP 3 .mu.l/ml 10851 5605794 9637819 517 888 TBQ/THQ 1 mg/ml (35 mole % THQ) AMPA-8 0.5 .mu.l/ml 385 297926 400787 774 1041 BDMQ 1 mg/ml20. AMPA-8 0.5 .mu.l/ml 677 790317 1109404 1167 1639 TBQ 1 mg/ml AMPA-5 0.5 .mu.l/ml 398 530827 624527 1336 1569 BDMQ 1 mg/ml AMPA-5 0.5 .mu.l/ml 859 1006579 1289099 1172 1501 TBQ 1 mg/ml AMPA-3 0.5 .mu.l/ml 564 194022 251987 344 447 BDMQ 1 mg/ml AMPA-3 0.5 .mu.l/ml 796 757153 1021267 951 1283 TBQ 1 mg/ml TPP/TBQ 2.5 mg/ml 407 9440 183054 232 450 TPP/BMQ 2.5 mg/ml 361 164641 201410 456 558 TBQ/THQ 1 mg/ml 4436 1501695 3853047 339 869 Tween-20 5 mg/ml Zelec DP 2.5 .mu.l/ml 8332 6693311 10215623 803 1226 TBQ/THQ 1 mg/ml (35 mole % THQ) Tween-20 1 mg/ml Zelec DP 2.5 .mu.g/ml 729 138425 332143 190 456 Tween-20 2.5 mg/ml TBQ/THQ 1 mg/ml (35 mole % THQ) CTAB 0.25 mg/ml30. Zelec DP 2.5 .mu.g/ml 402 633521 1675565 1576 4168 Triton X100 0.625 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml Zelec DP 2.5 .mu.l/ml 381 673881 1714914 1769 4501 Tween-80 1.25 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml Benz-PEI 1 mg/ml 715 616720 1770606 863 2630 Lanoquat 1 mg/ml 495 56981 121737 115 246 TBQ/THQ 0.5 mg/ml 1574 5084709 6077275 3230 3861 (21 mole % THQ) Benz-PEI 0.5 mg/ml 504 667698 151051 1325 3006 BDMQ 1 mg/ml Lanoquat 0.5 mg/ml 401 222433 359929 555 898 BDMQ 1 mg/ml Benz-PEI 1 mg/ml 858 745446 1774863 869 2069 TBQ 1 mg/ml Lanoquat 0.5 mg/ml 570 600923 878859 1054 1542 TBQ 1 mg/ml Hipofix DDD 1 mg/ml 418 346956 402685 830 963 BDMQ 1 mg/ml40. Hipofix DDD 2.5 mg/ml 1040 760173 859718 731 822 TBQ 1 mg/ml Hipofix DD-NF 0.5 mg/ml 343 345329 390776 1007 1139 BDMQ 1 mg/ml Hipofix DD-NF 1 mg/ml 493 713154 854962 1447 1734 BDMQ 1 mg/ml Hipofix 491 0.5 mg/ml 395 155086 199658 393 505 BDMQ 1 mg/ml Hipofix 491 0.5 mg/ml 684 291815 366201 427 535 TBQ 1 mg/ml Aerotex M-3 2.5 mg/ml 449 197957 233053 441 519 BDMQ 1 mg/ml Aerotex M-3 5 mg/ml 791 492405 527229 623 723 TBQ 1 mg/ml PVEE (lo mw) 1 mg/ml 568 2372633 378368 418 666 BDMQ 1 mg/ml PVEE (lo mw) 1 mg/ml 655 730024 1151041 1115 1757 TBQ 1 mg/ml Polyox (mw 50K) 1 mg/ml 574 342402 422461 597 740 BDMQ 1 mg/ml50. Polyox (mw 50K) 1 mg/ml 699 1284452 1587003 1838 2270 TBQ 1 mg/ml PVME 1.25 mg/ml 917 309446 371819 337 405 BDMQ 1 mg/ml PVME 1.25 mg/ml 834 663814 839470 796 1007 TBQ 1 mg/ml PTHF (mw 250) 2.5 mg/ml 700 265174 352224 379 503 BDMQ 1 mg/ml PTHF (mw 250) 0.5 mg/ml 758 634639 851396 837 1123 TBQ 1 mg/ml Polyox (mw 500K) 0.5 mg/ml 699 316630 385553 453 552 BDMQ 1 mg/ml Polyox (mw 500K) 5 mg/ml 889 628735 822133 707 925 TBQ 1 mg/ml PEO 1 mg.ml 670 220386 257387 329 384 BDMQ 1 mg/ml PEO 1 mg.ml 776 541518 695872 698 897 TBQ 1 mg/ml Celquat H100 0.5 mg/ml 406 284794 353576 701 871 BDMQ 1 mg/ml60. Celquat H100 0.5 mg/ml 719 734280 970599 1021 1350 TBQ 1 mg/ml Celquat L200 0.5 mg/ml 499 268280 326627 537 655 BDMQ 1 mg/ml Celquat L200 0.5 mg/ml 969 722551 928806 746 959 TBQ 1 mg/ml Celquat SC240 0.5 mg/ml 530 317199 382101 598 721 BDMQ 1 mg/ml Celquat SC240 1 mg/ml 804 811714 1030836 1010 1282 TBQ 1 mg/ml Pluronic 122 0.5 mg/ml 608 47854 117319 79 193 BDMQ 1 mg/ml Pluronic 122 1 mg/ml 746 66584 181683 89 244 TBQ 1 mg/ml Pluronic 123 0.5 mg/ml 648 69686 150161 108 232 BDMQ 1 mg/ml Pluronic 123 0.5 mg/ml 1453 178632 386930 123 266 TBQ 1 mg/ml Pluronic 150R1 0.5 mg/ml 896 156254 173414 174 194 BDMQ 1 mg/ml70. Pluronic 150R1 0.5 mg/ml 1996 285940 324257 143 162 TBQ 1 mg/ml CHAPS 0.5 mg/ml 210 14326 42519 68 202 CHAPSO 0.5 mg/ml 218 15119 42489 69 195 Zelec DP 2.25 .mu.l/ml 638 741248 1616666 1162 2534 CHAPS 1 mg/ml BDMQ 1 mg/ml Zelec DP 2.25 .mu.l/ml 858 1146672 2754178 1336 3210 CHAPS 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml Zelec DP 2.25 .mu.l/ml 555 718553 1530910 1295 2758 CHAPSO 1 mg/ml BDMQ 1 mg/ml Zelec DP 2.25 .mu.l/ml 900 1090555 2453191 1212 2726 CHAPSO 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml Polybrene 5 mg/ml 413 19740 24261 48 59 CHAPS 5 mg/ml Polybrene 5 mg/ml 2853 486059 705032 170 247 CHAPS 5 mg/ml BDMQ 1 mg/ml Polybrene 1 mg/ml 5982 683646 839733 114 140 CHAPS 1 mg/ml BDMQ 1 mg/ml80. Polybrene 5 mg/ml 6348 832574 1239584 131 195 CHAPSO 5 mg/ml BDMQ 1 mg/ml Polybrene 0.5 mg/ml 6441 736510 897356 114 139 CHAPSO 0.5 mg/ml BDMQ 1 mg/ml Benzethonium Cl 0.5 mg/ml 692 34183 81211 49 117 BDMQ/TBQ 1 mg/ml 568 742480 859880 1307 1514 (20% BDMQ) BDMQ/TBQ 1 mg/ml 740 927108 1113083 1253 1504 (10% BDMQ) Zelec DP 2.5 .mu.l/ml 1910 899187 1768511 471 926 BDMQ/TBQ 1 mg/ml (20% BDMQ) Zelec DP 2.5 .mu.l/ml 8392 1057422 2177684 126 259 BDMQ/TBQ 1 mg/ml (10% BDMQ) Avitex ML 0.5 mg/ml 1051 142640 298297 136 284 BDMQ 1 mg/ml Avitex ML 0.5 mg/ml 1318 466655 866897 354 658 TBQ 1 mg/ml Polyox (500K) 0.5 mg/ml 1730 862023 1239458 498 716 CTAB 0.01 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml90. Polyox (50K) 0.5 mg/ml 952 872307 1183521 916 1243 CTAB 0.01 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml Agefloc B50 0.5 mg/ml 952 872307 1183521 1961 2262 TBQ 1 mg/ml Agefloc B50 0.5 mg/ml 574 308582 347312 538 605 BDMQ 1 mg/ml Agefloc A50 1 mg/ml 689 1015523 1225260 1474 1778 TBQ 1 mg/ml Agefloc A50 0.5 mg/ml 693 309616 355165 447 513 TBQ 1 mg/ml Agefloc A50 HV 0.5 mg/ml 1265 1190551 1343823 941 1062 TBQ 1 mg/ml Agefloc A50 HV 0.5 mg/ml 769 284170 325540 370 423 TBQ 1 mg/ml SDBS 0.5 mg/ml 725 758078 2071149 1046 2657 Tween-20 20 mg/ml BDMQ 1 mg/ml SDBS 0.5 mg/ml 668 638270 1763156 955 2639 Triton X-100 1 mg/ml BDMQ 1 mg/ml SDBS 0.5 mg/ml 1337 1021526 2582544 764 1932 CHAPS 1 mg/ml BDMQ 1 mg/ml100. SDBS 0.5 mg/ml 1476 940142 2282165 637 1546 CHAPS 1 mg/ml BDMQ 1 mg/ml101. SDBS 0.5 mg/ml 1329 883203 2195667 665 1652 CTAB 0.05 mg/ml BDMQ 1 mg/ml102. DAXAD 1 mg/ml 866 1059832 1225160 1224 1415 TBQ 1 mg/ml103. DAXAD 0.5 mg/ml 802 771273 833134 962 1039 BDMQ/TBQ 1 mg/ml (20% BDMQ)104. DAXAD 0.5 mg/ml 510 301223 351656 591 690 BDMQ 1 mg/ml105. Dextran Sul 0.5 mg/ml 306 37132 39345 121 129 BDMQ 0.1 mg/ml106. SDS 0.6 mg/ml 961 772634 2258788 804 2350 Tween-20 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml107. SDS 0.6 mg/ml 1100 867025 2581024 788 2346 Triton X-100 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml108. SDS 0.6 mg/ml 721 592457 1575837 822 2186 Tween-20 1 mg/ml BDMQ 1 mg/ml109. SDS 0.6 mg/ml 697 412432 1143747 592 1641 Triton X-100 1 mg/ml BDMQ 1 mg/ml110. SDBS 0.1 mg/ml 2097 957195 2016212 456 962 Tween-20 1 mg/ml octyl-glucoside 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml111. SDBS 0.1 mg/ml 2276 924169 2002195 406 880 Triton X-100 1 mg/ml octyl-glucoside 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml112. SDBS 0.5 mg/ml 288 22720 56363 79 196 Tween-20 1 mg/ml CTAB 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml113. SDBS 0.5 mg/ml 291 17291 43494 59 149 Triton-X-100 1 mg/ml CTAB 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml114. SDBS 0.5 mg/ml 231 34158 101381 148 439 Tween-20 1 mg/ml BDMCAC 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml115. SDBS 0.5 mg/ml 233 31723 90256 136 387 Triton X-100 1 mg/ml BDMCAC 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml116. SDBS 0.1 mg/ml 878 1052025 2086077 1198 2376 Tween-20 1 mg/ml CTAB 0.1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml117. SDBS 0.1 mg/ml 1009 1358360 2551569 1346 2529 Tween-20 1 mg/ml CTAB 0.01 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml118. CTAB 0.1 mg/ml 412 395868 714210 961 1734 Triton X-100 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml119. CTAB 0.01 mg/ml 632 727582 1089538 1151 1724 Triton X-100 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml120. octyl-glucoside 1 mg/ml 586 726013 836153 1239 1427 TBQ 1 mg/ml121. Tween-20 1 mg/ml 550 371246 620097 675 1128 TBQ 1 mg/ml122. Triton X-100 1 mg/ml 636 329832 570539 519 897 TBQ 1 mg/ml123. CTAB 1 mg/ml 227 15217 26636 67 117 TBQ 1 mg/ml124. Polyox (50K) 20 mg/ml 154 26179 47219 170 307 CTAB 0.25 mg/ml125. Polyox (50K) 20 mg/ml 243 495112 723580 2037 2978 CTAB 0.25 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml126. Polyox (50K) 20 mg/ml 607 768812 930826 1267 1533 CTAB 0.025 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml127. Polyox (50K) 20 mg/ml 402 832297 962123 2070 2393 CTAB 0.0025 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml128. Polyox (50K) 0.5 mg/ml 391 970406 1102900 2482 2821 TBQ 1 mg/ml129. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 283 42628 77784 151 275 CTAB 0.25 mg/ml130. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 275 36981 44021 134 160 CTAB 0.025 mg/ml131. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 250 40563 45500 162 182 CTAB 0.0025 mg/ml132. Polyox (500K) 1 mg/ml 397 1527695 1781760 3848 4488 CTAB 0.05 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml133. Polyox (500K) 1 mg/ml 455 1629263 1834806 3581 4033 CTAB 0.005 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml134. Polyox (500K) 1 mg/ml 514 1635987 1823578 3183 3548 CTAB 0.0005 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml135. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 623 2505788 3072392 4022 4931 TBQ 1 mg/ml136. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 432 528833 653731 669867 1224 1513 1551 BDMQ 1 mg/ml137. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 17614 2047964 4050329 116 230 Zelec DP 2.5 .mu.l/ml Tween-20 0.625 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml138. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 562 76352 229205 136 408 SDBS 0.5 mg/ml CTAB 0.75 mg/ml Tween-20 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml139. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 2689 474537 1267603 176 471 SDBS 0.5 mg/ml CTAB 0.5 mg/ml Tween-20 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml140. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 5476 675082 1535300 123 280 SDBS 0.25 mg/ml CTAB 0.3 mg/ml Tween-20 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml141. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 729 393791 507399 540 696 1M NaCl in DEA TBQ 1 mg/ml142. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 714 444112 545624 622 764 0.5M NaCl in DEA TBQ 1 mg/ml143. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 803 271814 311794 338 388 1M NaCl (no DEA) TBQ 1 mg/ml144. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 723 316032 342073 437 473 0.5M NaCl (no DEA) TBQ 1 mg/ml145. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 810 1255809 2567260 1550 2388 SDBS 0.1 mg/ml Chaps 1 mg/ml Tween-20 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml146. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 858 1529784 3035681 1783 2575 SDBS 0.1 mg/ml Chapso 1 mg/ml Tween-20 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml147. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 1309 1581194 3072325 1208 1674 SDBS 0.1 mg/ml Chaps 1 mg/ml Tliton-X100 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml148. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 2593 1240847 2249328 479 591 SDBS 0.05 mg/ml Chapso 0.5 mg/ml Tween-20 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml149. Polybrene 0.5 mg/ml 425 979550 1210591 2305 2848 TBQ 1 mg/ml150. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 506 1106515 1378277 2187 2724 Polybrene 0.5 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml151. Poloxy (500K) 20 mg/ml 765 995361 1202025 1301 1571 CHAPS 0.5 mg/ml Polybrene 0.5 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml152. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 2024 1149546 1385744 568 685 CHAPSO 0.5 mg/ml Polybrene 0.5 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml153. Polybrene 0.5 mg/ml 567 1144898 1337005 2019 2358 CHAPS 0.5 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml154. Polybrene 0.5 mg/ml 665 1240889 1442628 1866 2169 CHAPSO 0.5 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml155. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 573 766172 942897 1337 1646 DEA/Carb buffer 9.5 TBQ 1 mg/ml156. TBQ 1 mg/ml 466 320952 371408 689 797 DEA/Carb buffer 9.5157. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 531 1996396 2509803 3760 4727 TBQ 0.5 mg/ml158. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 482 1649504 2021238 3422 4193 octyl-glucoside 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml159. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 262 35061 36818 134 141 octyl-glucoside 5 mg/ml160. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 604 1729994 2149082 2864 3558 phenyl-glucoside 5 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml161. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 268 30705 33366 150 124 phenyl-glucoside 5 mg/ml162. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 562 1372766 2935468 2443 5223 octyl-glucoside 2.5 mg/ml SDBS 0.25 mg/ml Tween-20 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml163. Polyox (500K) 20 mg/ml 632 1197951 2459440 1895 3892 phenyl-glucoside 2.5 mg/ml SDBS 0.25 mg/ml Tween-20 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml164. SDBS 0.1 mg/ml 413 1457360 2768643 3541193 3529 6704 8574 Tween-20 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml165. SDBS 0.1 mg/ml 414 1353062 2649803 3601796 3268 6400 8700 Tween-20 1 mg/ml TBQ 0.5 mg/ml166. SBS 1 mg/ml 318 405862 478723 473862 1276 1505 1490 BDMQ 1 mg/ml167. SBS 0.5 mg/ml 341 950755 1115291 1107561 2788 3271 3248 TBQ 1 mg/ml__________________________________________________________________________ TABLE 7__________________________________________________________________________AMPPD Signal S/NAdditive Concentration Noise 10 min 30 min 60 min 10 min 30 min 60 min__________________________________________________________________________ 1. none 601 15434 22361 26 37 2. BDMQ 1 mg/ml 1021 239457 392753 250 410 3. TBQ 1 mg/ml 1940 529838 953548 311 819 4. TBQ/THQ 1 mg/ml 10112 3909328 7854723 387 777 5. BDMCAC 0.5 mg/ml 539 19978 59936 39 118 6. THQ monomer 5 mg/ml 611 38535 92199 58 140 7. Andogen464 1 mg/ml 1019 232240 713917 253 779 8. Andogen464 5 mg/ml 447 19223 63303 43 214 Triton X-100 10 mg/ml 9. Andogen464 5 mg/ml 784 49888 167538 64 214 Triton X-100 1 mg/ml10. Andogen464 5 mg/ml 493 32050 107977 65 219 Tween-20 10 mg/ml Andogen464 1 mg/ml 718 39265 131675 55 183 Tween-20 1 mg/ml BDMTDAC 0.1 mg/ml 1213 94008 210047 78 173 BDMQ 1 mg/ml BDMDAB 0.1 mg/ml 1366 156795 273187 115 200 BDMQ 1 mg/ml Zonyl Surf. 0.1 mg/ml 1597 170683 283296 107 177 BDMQ 1 mg/ml BDMTDAC 0.1 mg/ml 752 186443 432829 248 576 TBQ 1 mg/ml BDMDAB 0.1 mg/ml 1000 379583 717087 380 717 TBQ 1 mg/ml Zonyl Surf. 0.1 mg/ml 1108 393546 734506 355 663 TBQ 1 mg/ml octyl-glucoside 0.1 mg/ml 1474 167319 316876 35 68 BDMQ 1 mg/ml phenyl-glucoside 0.1 mg/ml 1663 168296 31431 101 189 BDMQ 1 mg/ml20. octyl-glucoside 1 mg/ml 359 16800 41762 47 116 BDMDAB 1 mg/ml BDMQ 1 mg/ml octyl-glucoside 0.5 mg/ml 1000 339007 648072 339 648 TBQ 1 mg/ml phenyl-glucoside 0.5 mg/ml 1221 269016 545848 220 439 TBQ 1 mg/ml HDTBPB 0.5 mg/ml 1412 36919 102172 26 72 Andogen464 1 mg/ml 3919 223888 682817 57 174 phenyl-glucoside 1 mg/ml HDTBPB 0.5 mg/ml 640 40379 124470 63 195 phenyl-glucoside 1 mg/ml Nonidet P-40 0.1 mg/ml 1143 112668 252316 99 221 BDMQ 1 mg/ml Tween-80 0.5 mg/ml 844 87136 165285 103 196 BDMQ 1 mg/ml PO23LE 0.1 mg/ml 1980 130369 261388 66 132 BDMQ 1 mg/ml Ipegal 0.5 mg/ml 822 116303 231011 142 281 BDMQ 1 mg/ml30. HDTBPB 0.1 mg/ml 1167 35861 90738 31 78 BDMQ 1 mg/ml .beta.-cyclodex. 0.5 mg/ml 451 46605 101249 103 224 BDMQ 1 mg/ml FC-135 0.5 mg/ml 420 66398 133292 158 317 BDMQ 1 mg/ml BOP 1 mg/ml 3327 464178 1059036 140 318 BDMQ 1 mg/ml PPG 1 mg/ml 803 25376 411277 316 512 BDMQ 1 mg/ml PEI 0.1 mg/ml 771 265606 446988 345 580 BDMQ 1 mg/ml P-DMDMPC 0.5 mg/ml 1031 286017 489468 277 475 BDMQ 1 mg/ml Avitex DN 5 mg/ml 372 33046 67404 59 181 Avitex DN 0.1 mg/ml 687 251317 418395 366 609 BDMQ 1 mg/ml Avitex E 0.5 mg/ml 674 273361 442352 406 656 BDMQ 1 mg/ml40. DMQ-TEQ 5 mg/ml 826 198197 445457 240 539 TBQ/THQ 1 mg/ml 20254 2910352 6446798 144 318 (35 mol % THQ) BDMQ 1 mg/ml DMQ-TEQ 5 mq/ml 706 226048 502481 320 712 BDMQ 1 mg/ml TBQ/THQ 1 mg/ml 20339 2415719 5398310 119 265 (35 mole % THQ) TBQ 1 mg/ml DMQ-TEQ 1 mg/ml 893 370453 735995 415 824 TBQ 1 mg/ml Zelec DP 2.5 .mu.l/ml 1916 340564 8009917 178 423 phenyl-glucoside 1 mg/ml BDMQ 1 mg/ml Zelec DP 2.5 .mu.l/ml 2244 386368 1068947 172 476 phenyl-glucoside 1 mg/ml TBQ 1 mg/ml PVA 1 mg/ml 365 395636 476147 1084 1305 BDMQ 1 mg/ml__________________________________________________________________________

Applicants have endeavored to illustrate their invention by extensive embodiment of possible combinations. Nonetheless, it is recognized that the possible combinations are endless, and cannot be exhaustively embodied. Given the above teaching, those of ordinary skill in the art will arrive at enhancement agents and additives not specifically exemplified in the foregoing application. The examples are not intended to be limiting, and the identification of other combinations, given the foregoing disclosure, is well within the skill of those practicing this technology without undue experimentation. Such combinations are intended to be within the scope of the invention, save as expressly limited or excluded by the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. In a method for determining the presence or concentration of an analyte in an aqueous sample comprising admixing said sample with an enzyme complex capable of binding to said analyte, removing all unbound enzyme complex and adding to said treated sample a 1,2-dioxetane which is caused to decompose with the release of chemiluminescence when contacted by said enzyme thereby forming a 1,2-dioxetane oxyanion and excited state emitters, and wherein the amount of chemiluminescence is monitored to determine the presence or concentration of said analyte, the improvement comprising adding to said aqueous sample 0.001%-50%, weight by volume of the sample, poly(vinylbenzyltributylammonium chloride) (TBQ).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said method further comprises the addition to said sample of 0.005%-50% weight by volume of said sample an enhancement additive which improves the ability of said TBQ to form hydrophobic regions in said aqueous sample in which said 1,2-dioxetane oxyanion and its decomposition products can be sequestered.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein more than one said additive is added to said sample.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said additive is selected from the group consisting of surfactants, negatively charged salts, solvents, and water-soluble polymers.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said dioxetane is AMPPD or CSPD.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said additive comprises Zelec DP.

7. A method for determining the presence or concentration of an analyte in an aqueous sample comprising admixing said sample with an enzyme complex capable of stably binding to said analyte, removing all unbound enzyme complex and adding to said sample a 1,2-dioxetane which is caused to decompose with the release of chemiluminescence upon contact with said enzyme and wherein the amount of chemiluminescence is monitored to determine the presence or concentration of said analyte, the improvement comprising adding to said sample

(a) an enhancement agent comprising a water-soluble polymeric quaternary onium salt in an amount of 0.001%-50% weight by volume of said sample, which, when added to said sample, results in the generation of greater chemiluminescence due to the decomposition of said 1,2-dioxetane than in the absence of said water-soluble polymeric quaternary onium salt, and

(b) 0.005%-50% weight based on volume of said sample, of an enhancement additive which improves the ability of said polymeric quaternary onium salt to form hydrophobic regions in said aqueous sample in which said 1,2-dioxetane and its chemiluminescent decomposition products can be sequestered.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said enhancement agent is prepared from monomers selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium salts, quaternary sulfonium salts, quaternary phosphonium salts and mixtures thereof.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said enhancement agent is a polymeric quaternary ammonium salt, a polymeric quaternary sulfonium salt, a polymeric quaternary phosphonium salt or copolymers thereof.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said enhancement agent is selected from the group consisting of poly(vinylbenzyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride) (BDMQ), poly(vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride) (TMQ), poly(vinylbenzyltributylammonium chloride) (TBQ) and copolymers thereof.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein said process further comprises the addition of a second enhancement additive which is a detergent.

12. A method of conducting an assay for the presence or concentration of an analyte in an aqueous sample, comprising:

admixing an enzyme complex with said sample, which enzyme complex will stably bind to said analyte in said sample upon said admixture, removing unbound enzyme complex present in said sample after said admixing,

adding to said sample 0.001%-50%, weight by volume of said sample, of TBQ, adding a 1,2-dioxetane to said sample, which dioxetane is caused by the enzyme of said enzyme complex to decompose into a decomposition product which chemiluminesces, and measuring the amount of chemiluminescence obtained, wherein said chemiluminescence is indicative of said presence or concentration of said analyte.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said 1,2-dioxetane has the formula: ##STR4## Z=H, Cl, other halogens or alkoxy groups; R.sup.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl or C.sub.1-12 aryl or aralkyl;

Y is phenyl or naphthyl;

R.sup.2 is meta-substituted or nonconjugated on Y with respect to the dioxetane, and is OX, wherein;

X is an enzyme cleavable group which, when cleaved, leaves the dioxetane phenoxy or naphthoxy anion.

14. A method of conducting an assay for the presence or concentration of an analyte in an aqueous sample, comprising:

admixing an enzyme complex with said sample, which enzyme complex will stably bind to said analyte in said sample upon said admixing, removing unbound enzyme complex from said sample after said admixing, adding to said sample, 0.001%-50%, by weight on the basis of said sample volume a water soluble polymeric quaternary onium salt enhancement agent together with 0.005%-50% weight by volume of said sample of an enhancement additive which improves the ability of said enhancement agent to form hydrophobic regions in said sample in which decomposition products of a 1,2-dioxetane can be sequestered, provided that the sum of said enhancement agent and enhancement additive does not exceed 50% weight by volume of the sample,

adding said 1,2-dioxetane to said sample, which dioxetane is caused by contact with the enzyme of said enzyme complex to decompose into a decomposition product which chemiluminesces, and measuring the amount of chemiluminescence obtained, wherein the amount of chemiluminescence observed in the presence of said enzyme complex is greater than the amount of chemiluminescense observed in the absence of said enhancement additive wherein said chemiluminescence is indicative of said presence or concentration of said analyte.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said enhancement agent is prepared from monomers selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium monomers, quaternary phosphonium monomers, quaternary sulfonium monomers and mixtures thereof.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said enhancement additive is selected from the group consisting of a detergent, a negatively charged salt, a solvent, and a water soluble polymer.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said dioxetane is the disodium salt of AMPPD, CSPD or a mixture thereof, said enhancement agent is selected from the group consisting of TBQ, BDMQ, TMQ and mixtures thereof, and said enhancement additive is Zelec DP.

18. A kit for conducting a bioassay for the presence of concentration of an analyte in a sample, comprising:

an enzyme complex which will bind to said analyte upon admixture with said sample,

a 1,2-dioxetane which upon contact with the enzyme of said enzyme complex will be caused to decompose into a 1,2-dioxetane oxyanion decomposition product which chemiluminesces,

a polymeric quaternary onium salt of the formula ##STR5## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently C1-20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, aralkyl or aryl

M is N, S or P, X.sup.- is a counterion, and n is an integer such that the molecular weight of said onium salt is from 500-500,000 (weight average) and an enhancement additive which improves the ability of said polymeric quaternary onium salt to form hydrophobic regions in said sample in which said 1,2-dioxetane oxyanion decomposition product can be sequestered.

19. The kit of claim 18, wherein said enhancement additive is selected from the group consisting of a detergent, a negatively charged salt, a solvent and a water-soluble polymer.