Several authors have reported on high sensitivity measurement of oxygen dependent low level chemiluminescence (CL) from Maillard reactions, i.e. nonenzymatic amino-carbonyl reactions between reducing sugars and amino acids. Here we report for the first time, that light from Maillard reactions can be seen by the human eye and also can be photographed. In parallel with visual perception and photography CL was monitored by means of a CL-detection program of a liquid scintillation counter (LSC, single photon rate counting). CL emission spectrum was recorded by a monochromator-microchannel plate photomultiplier arrangement. CL intensity from reaction of 6-aminocaproic acid with D-ribose (200mg each) in 5 mL H 2 0 at pH 11 at 95ยฐC was high enough for visual perception after adaption to absolute darkness. Reaction in dimethylsulphoxide exhibited strongly enhanced CL (10 mg each in 5 mL were sufficient for visual detection) and could be photographed (1 5 minutes exposure, ASA 6400); all characteristics of Maillard specific CL (02-dependence, no CL from nonreducing sugars, inhibition by sulfurcompounds) remained. The emission spectrum showed two broad peaks at around 505 nm and 695 nm. Visual detection of CL and measurement by LSC were in full concordance.