Simple and sensitive detection of dopamine in the presence of high concentration of ascorbic acid using gold nanoparticles as colorimetric probes

A highly sensitive and selective method is presented for colorimetric determination of dopamine using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Dopamine induces the aggregation of AuNPs, this resulting in a color change from red to blue or purple. Aggregation is accelerated by the presence of Cu(II), especially at low concentrations of dopamine. The concentration of dopamine can be quantified visually or using a UV-vis spectrometer. The detection limit is as low as 30 nM. The assay is simple, inexpensive, and highly sensitive. Ascorbic acid in even 100-fold molar excess does not interfere. The mechanism of the aggregation of the AuNPs is discussed.