Autofluorescence

[1] The most commonly observed autofluorescencing molecules are NADPH and flavins; the extracellular matrix can also contribute to autofluorescence because of the intrinsic properties of collagen and elastin.

[1] Generally, proteins containing an increased amount of the amino acids tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylalanine show some degree of autofluorescence.

Light-emitting stains (such as fluorescently labelled antibodies) are applied to samples to enable visualisation of specific structures.

In a few cases, autofluorescence may actually illuminate the structures of interest, or serve as a useful diagnostic indicator.

[6] The super resolution microscopy SPDM revealed autofluorescent cellular objects which are not detectable under conventional fluorescence imaging conditions.

Micrograph of paper autofluorescing under ultraviolet illumination. The individual fibres in this sample are around 10 μm in diameter.
A multispectral image of tissue from a mouse intestine, showing how autofluoresce can obscure several fluorescence signals.
Autofluorescence super resolution microscopy/optical nanoscopy image of cellular structures that are invisible with confocal light microscopy
Autofluorescence in banana skin under different light conditions.