Aim To determine nucleic acid （DNA） using Nanometer-sized L-cysteine-capped CdS particles by resonance light scattering （RLS） method. Methods The nano-particles synthesized by a colloidal aqueous method were water-soluble, stable, and highly luminescent. The RLS of L-Cys-CdS particles were greatly quenched by DNA in Tris-HCl solutions. The intensity of RLS at 344 nm was proportional to the concentration of DNA. Results The linearity range of the calibration curve was 0. 01 - 1.0 μg·mL^-1 for calf thymus DNA and 0. 04 - 1.5 μg· mL^-1 for salmon sperm DNA. The detection limits （3 δ） were 8 ng·mL^-1 for calf thymus DNA and 10 ng·mL^-1 for salmon sperm DNA. Conclusion This method is simple, sensitive, and capable of avoiding the use of toxic dyes.
