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Fluorescence sensor for Cu(II) in the serum sample based on click chemistry
Chunmei Wang1, Lijun Lu, Wenmei Ye
1Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety (Fuzhou University), Fujian Province Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection for Food Safety, Department of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350002, China. zhengou@fzu.edu.cn zylin@fzu.edu.cn.
A novel fluorescence sensor detects copper(II) ions using sodium ascorbate (SA) and click chemistry. This method offers a sensitive and selective approach for quantifying copper(II) in biological samples like human serum.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Copper(II) ions play crucial roles in biological processes but require accurate quantification.
- Existing methods for copper detection may lack sensitivity or selectivity.
- Fluorescence-based detection offers high sensitivity but often requires specific reaction triggers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple, sensitive, and selective fluorescence sensor for detecting copper(II) ions.
- To leverage the copper(II)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction for signal generation.
- To validate the sensor's performance in complex biological matrices such as human serum.
Main Methods:
- Copper(II) reduction to Copper(I) using sodium ascorbate (SA) in situ.
- CuAAC reaction between 3-azido-7-hydroxycoumarin and propargyl alcohol, triggered by Copper(I).
- Fluorescence intensity measurement to quantify the product of the CuAAC reaction.
Main Results:
- A strong fluorescent product is formed upon Copper(II) presence.
- The fluorescence increase factor exhibits a linear relationship with Copper(II) concentration (0.25 μM–2.5 μM).
- The sensor demonstrates a low detection limit of 0.08 μM for Copper(II).
- High selectivity for Copper(II) was observed, even with interfering metal ions present.
- Successful application of the sensor for Copper(II) detection in human serum samples.
Conclusions:
- A facile and highly sensitive fluorescence sensor for Copper(II) detection has been successfully developed.
- The sensor integrates the selectivity of click chemistry with the sensitivity of fluorescence detection.
- The method shows promise for practical applications in biological fluid analysis.

