Polyphosphoric acid-induced perylene probe self-assembly and label-free fluorescence turn-on detection of alkaline...

A label-free fluorescence turn-on strategy for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) detection was established based on its enzymatic catalyzed hydrolysis of polyphosphoric acid (PPA, an anionic polymer) that had been utilized for aggregation with our homemade positively charged perylene derivative (Probe-1) via noncovalent interactions. The disaggregation caused turn-on fluorescence signal which was recovered by the released Proble-1 molecules whose original strong fluorescence in an aqueous buffer solution had been quenched due to their previous aggregation induced by PPA. Such method presents its great advantages of free labeling, convenience and simplicity, cost effectiveness, high selectivity, and high sensitivity, with a detection limit of 0.5 mU/mL of ALP. Graphical Abstract A label-free fluorescence turn-on strategy for alkaline phosphatase based on its enzymatic catalyzed hydrolysis of polyphosphoric acid that had been utilized for aggregation with our homemade positively charged perylene derivative via noncovalent interactions.