Selective detection and estimation of C-reactive protein in serum using surface-functionalized gold nano-particles

A new method for the detection of C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum using functionalized gold nano-particles (GNP) is reported. The affinity towards CRP is imparted to GNP by tethering O-phosphorylethanolamine (PEA) onto their surface. GNP and modified GNP were characterized using TEM, particle size analysis, zeta potential measurements, absorption spectroscopy and FT-IR techniques. The event of binding of CRP onto the PEA-GNP is followed by visibly observable colour change. We observed a red shift as well as a decrease in absorption in the plasmon peak of the modified GNP with the concentration of CRP. When the concentration of CRP exceeded 450 ng mL(-1), particles were aggregated and the solution became turbid. The method exhibited a linear range for CRP from 50 to 450 ng mL(-1) with a detection limit of 50 ng mL(-1). The colour change and the variation in absorption of the GNP were highly specific to CRP even in the presence of albumin. We estimated CRP in blood serum collected from patients and the results obtained compared well with the estimation using the technique of nephelometry based on the antibody-antigen interaction.