Silver nanoparticles capped with chalcon carboxylic acid as a probe for colorimetric determination of cadmium(II)

Microchimica Acta - The authors describe a selective and sensitive method for the colorimetric determination of Cd(II) by using silver nanoparticles capped with chalcone carboxylic acid (CCA) as an...     

Unmodified gold nanoparticles as a colorimetric probe for potassium DNA aptamers

Unmodified gold nanoparticles effectively differentiate unfolded and folded DNA, thus providing a novel approach to colorimetrically probe aptamer-based recognition processes.     

Fluorescence determination of DNA with 1-pyrenebutyric acid nanoparticles coated with beta-cyclodextrin as a fluorescence probe

A novel ultrasonication method has been successfully developed for the preparation of 1-pyrenebutyric acid (PBAC)/beta-cyclodextrin(beta-CD) complex nanoparticles. The as-prepared nanoparticles are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fluorescence excitation and emission spectroscopy. Complex nanoparticles prepared with ultrasonication are smaller and better dispersed than single PBAC nanoparticles. At pH 3.0, the relative fluorescence intensity of complex nanoparticles of PBAC/beta-CD can be quenched by the concentration of DNA. Based on this, a novel fluorimetric method has been developed for rapid determination of DNA. In comparison with single organic fluorophores, these nanoparticle probes are better water-solubility, more stable and do not suffer from blinking. Under optimum conditions, the calibration graphs are linear over the range 0.2-15 microg mL(-1) for calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) and 0.3-12 microg mL(-1) for fish sperm DNA (fs-DNA). The corresponding detection limit is 0.01 microg mL(-1) for ct-DNA and 0.02 microg mL(-1) for fs-DNA. The relative standard deviation of seven replicate measurements is 1.2% for 2.0 microg mL(-1) ct-DNA and 1.4% for 2.0 microg mL(-1) fs-DNA, respectively. The method is simple and sensitive. The recovery and relative standard deviation are very satisfactory. A mechanism proposed to explain the process also has been studied.     

A colorimetric probe for ascorbic acid based on copper-gold nanoparticles in electrospun nylon

We report on a colorimetric probe based on copper-gold alloy nanoparticles (NPs). The probe is capable of selectively detecting ascorbic acid (AA) as a result of the distance-dependent colour change of the nanoparticles immobilized in an electrospun nylon-6 nanofiber. The resulting white nanofibres undergo a colour change to blue as a result of the aggregation of the NPs induced by AA in the pH range 2–7. The probe is selective for AA even in the presence of dopamine, uric acid, saccharides, amino acids and certain organic acids. It covers the 1.76 x10^?2 mg L^?1 to 1.76 x10⁵ mg L^?1 concentration range, and exhibits a limit of detection of 1.76 x10^?2 mg L^?1 based on visual detection. Its application was demonstrated by the determination of ascorbic acid in fruit juices, urine, serum, and vitamin C tablets.

Selective determination of melamine in milk samples using 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonate-modified gold nanoparticles as colorimetric probe

A novel and sensitive colorimetric method for determination of melamine in milk samples was developed by a 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonate-modified gold nanoparticles (MPS-GNPs) probe. Melamine molecule has multiple -NH₂ groups. These functional groups can interact with MPS to form strong hydrogen bonding and induce the aggregation of the MPS-GNPs, resulting in a dramatic color change from red to blue. Therefore, the concentration of melamine in milk samples can be quantitatively detected by the naked eyes or a UV-vis spectrometer. Moreover, investigations have revealed that the sensitivity of the detection could be clearly improved by adding NaCl to the modified GNPs solution, which leads to a more rapid color change in the NaCl-optimized GNPs system. It is worth noting that the absorption ratio (A₆₅₀/A₅₂₀) of the modified GNPs in the NaCl-optimized system exhibited a linear correlation with melamine concentration and the limit of detection is 8 nM, well below the safety limit (1 ppm for infant formula in China).     

Synchronous fluorescence determination of protein with functionalized CdS nanoparticles as a fluorescence probe

Nanometer-sized fluorescent particles have been successfully synthesized. A synchronous fluorescence method, with high sensitivity and selectivity, has been developed for rapid determination of protein with functionalized CdS as a fluorescence probe. When Δλ=260 nm, maximum synchronous fluorescence is produced at 274 nm at pH 7.0. Under optimal conditions, the calibration graphs are linear over the range 0.1-3.0 μg ml⁻¹ for bovine serum albumin (BSA), 0.1-11.0 μg ml⁻¹ for γ-globulin (γ-G) and 0.1-1.4 μg ml⁻¹ for human serum albumin (HSA), respectively. Limits of determination were 0.01 μg ml⁻¹ for BSA, 0.019 μg ml⁻¹ for γ-G and 0.021 μg ml⁻¹ for HSA, respectively. The relative standard deviations of seven replicate measurements were 1.8% for 1.0 μg ml⁻¹ BSA, 2.2% for 1.0 μg ml⁻¹ γ-G and 2.3% for 1.0 μg ml⁻¹ HSA.     

Label-free aptamer-based colorimetric detection of mercury ions in aqueous media using unmodified gold nanoparticles as colorimetric probe

We report a simple and sensitive aptamer-based colorimetric detection of mercury ions (Hg²⁺) using unmodified gold nanoparticles as colorimetric probe. It is based on the fact that bare gold nanoparticles interact differently with short single-strand DNA and double-stranded DNA. The anti-Hg²⁺ aptamer is rich in thymine (T) and readily forms T–Hg²⁺–T configuration in the presence of Hg²⁺. By measuring color change or adsorption ratio, the bare gold nanoparticles can effectively differentiate the Hg²⁺-induced conformational change of the aptamer in the presence of a given salt with high concentration. The assay shows a linear response toward Hg²⁺ concentration through a five-decade range of 1 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ to 1 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹. Even with the naked eye, we could identify micromolar Hg²⁺ concentrations within minutes. By using the spectrometric method, the detection limit was improved to the nanomolar range (0.6 nM). The assay shows excellent selectivity for Hg²⁺ over other metal cations including K⁺, Ba²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Al³⁺, and Fe³⁺. The major advantages of this Hg²⁺ assay are its water-solubility, simplicity, low cost, visual colorimetry, and high sensitivity. This method provides a potentially useful tool for the Hg²⁺ detection.     

Gold nanoparticles as a colorimetric sensor for protein conformational changes

Spherical gold nanoparticles and flat gold films are prepared in which yeast iso-1-cytochrome c (Cyt c) is covalently bound to the gold surface by a thiol group in the cystein 102 residue. Upon exposure to solutions of different pH, bound Cyt c unfolds at low pH and refolds at high pH. This conformational change causes measurable shifts in the color of the coated nanoparticle solutions detected by UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy and in the refractive index (RI) of the flat gold films detected by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy. Both experiments demonstrate the same trend with pH, suggesting the use of protein-covered gold nanoparticles as a simple colorimetric sensor for conformational change.     

金纳米微粒作探针共振瑞利散射光谱法测定盐酸异丙嗪

在pH 1.8～3.0的酸性介质中,质子化的盐酸异丙嗪(PMZ)可与带负电荷的金纳米微粒依靠静电和疏水作用相互结合,导致共振瑞利散射(RRS)强度显著增强,其最大散射峰位于368 nm,并在284,440,498 nm处有明显的散射峰,在选定的测量波长下,盐酸异丙嗪在0.04～0.10μg/mL的浓度范围内与RRS强度成正比,该法具有高的灵敏度,其检出限为1.34 ng/mL。考察了体系的RRS光谱特征,研究了适宜的反应条件、影响因素,研究了共存物质的影响,据此建立了金纳米微粒作探针RRS法测定盐酸异丙嗪的新方法。     

Nitroolefin-based coumarin as a colorimetric and fluorescent dual probe for biothiols

A coumarin-based thiol probe featuring the 1,4-addition reaction of thiols to nitroolefin was reported. The molecular probe exhibited higher selectivity toward biothiols (Cys, Hcy and GSH) than other amino acids.     

Metavanadate as a reagent for the colorimetric determination of acids

Acids with pK(a) > 6 can be determined colorimetrically by their reaction with metavanadate, provided they are not coloured and do not give complexation or redox reactions with the polyvanadate.     

Simple colorimetric detection of dopamine using modified silver nanoparticles

Dopamine(DA) plays an important role in health and peripheral nervous systems. Colorimetric detection of DA has the advantage of color change and simplicity in operation and instrumentation. Herein, we report a highly sensitive and selective colorimetric detection of DA by using two specific ligands modified Ag nanoparticles, where the DA molecules can make dual recognition with high specificity. The colloidal suspension of modified Ag nanoparticles was agglomerated after interacting with DA, while the color of Ag nanoparticles suspension changed from yellow to brown, arising from the interparticle plasmon coupling during the aggregation of Ag nanoparticles. The modified Ag nanoparticles suspension and agglomeration were confirmed by transmission electron microscope images. The optical properties behind the color change were thoroughly investigated by using UV-Vis and Raman techniques. The changes in p H, zeta potential, particle size and surface charge density by adding DA were also determined by using dynamic light scattering measurements. The detection limits of modified Ag probes for DA was calculated to be 6.13′10~(-6) mol L~(-1)(S/N=2.04) and the correlation co-efficient was determined to be 0.9878. Because of the simplicity in operation and instrumentation of the colorimetric method, this work may afford a feasible, fast approach for detecting and monitoring the DA levels in physiological and pathological systems.     

Strongly fluorescent cysteamine-coated copper nanoclusters as a fluorescent probe for determination of picric acid

Microchimica Acta - A fluorometric assay is described for doxycycline detection. It is based on the use of nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) coated with molecularly imprinted polymers...     

A novel fluorescent method for determination of peroxynitrite using folic acid as a probe

A novel method for the determination of peroxynitrite using folic acid as a fluorescent probe is described. The method is based on the oxidation of the reduced, low-fluorescent folic acid by peroxynitrite to produce a high-fluorescent emission product. The fluorescence increase is linearly related to the concentration of peroxynitrite in the range of 3 × 10⁻⁸ to 5.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ with a correlation coefficient of 0.998, and the detection limit is 1 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. Interferences from some metal ions normally seen in biological samples, and also some anions structurally similar to peroxynitrite were studied. The optimal conditions for the detection of peroxynitrite were evaluated.     

Simultaneous determination of dopamine, uric acid and ascorbic acid with LaFeO3 nanoparticles modified electrode

LaFeO₃ nanoparticles of approximately 22 nm in size were synthesized and characterized by XRD and TEM. A novel glassy carbon electrode modified with LaFeO₃ nanoparticles was constructed and characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The modified electrode exhibited strong promoting effect and high stability toward the electrochemical oxidation of dopamine (DA), which gave reversible redox peaks with a formal potential of 0.145 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution. The anodic peak current (measured by constant potential amperometry) increased linearly with the concentration of dopamine in the range from 1.5?×?10^?7 to 8.0?×?10^?4 M. The detection limit was 3.0?×?10^?8 M. The relative standard deviation of eight successive scans was 3.47% for 1.0?×?10^?6 M DA. The interference by ascorbic acid was eliminated efficiently. The method was used to determine DA in dopamine hydrochloride injections and showed excellent sensitivity and recovery.     

A selective,sensitive and label-free visual assay of fructose using anti-aggregation of gold nanoparticles as a colorimetric probe

A new convenient colorimetric sensor for fructose based on anti-aggregation of citrate-capped gold nanoparticles(Au NPs) is presented. 4-Mercaptophenylboronic acid(MPBA) induces the aggregation of Au NPs, leading to a color change from red to blue. Fructose as a potent competitor has strong affinity for MPBA and a borate ester is formed between MPBA and fructose. There is an obvious color change from blue to red with increasing the concentration of fructose. The anti-aggregation effect of fructose on Au NPs was seen by the naked eye and monitored by UV–vis spectra. Our results showed that the absorbance ratio(A_(519)/A_(640)) was linear with fructose concentration in the range of 0.032–0.96 μmol/L(R~2= 0.996), with a low detection limit of 0.01 μmol/L(S/N = 3). Notably, a highly selective recognition of fructose was shown against other monosaccharide and disaccharide(glucose, mannose, galactose,lactose and saccharose). With anti-aggregation assays higher selectivity is achievable. The results of this work provide a rapid method for evaluating the quantitative analysis of fructose in human plasma at physiologically meaningful concentrations and at neutral pH. The proposed procedure can be used as an efficient method for the precise and accurate determination of fructose.