Turn-on fluorescence detection of ascorbic acid with gold nanolcusters

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) plays a vital role in biological systems.
• Sensitive and accurate detection of ascorbic acid is crucial for various applications.
• Existing detection methods may require complex procedures or lack sufficient sensitivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sensitive fluorescent detection method for ascorbic acid.
• To utilize protein-stabilized gold nanoclusters for this detection.
• To establish a simple and effective analytical scheme for ascorbic acid quantification.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of protein-stabilized gold nanoclusters.
• Utilizing the quenching effect of elemental iodine on gold nanocluster fluorescence.
• Demonstrating the inhibition of quenching by ascorbic acid, leading to a turn-on fluorescent response.

Main Results:

• The developed method exhibits a sensitive fluorescent turn-on response to ascorbic acid.
• Linear correlation observed between fluorescence and ascorbic acid concentration in the range of 0.1–10 μM.
• The detection limit for ascorbic acid was as low as 22 nM.
• The method demonstrated successful application in real sample analyses with simplified sample preparation.

Conclusions:

• Protein-stabilized gold nanoclusters provide a sensitive platform for ascorbic acid detection.
• The developed fluorescent assay is highly efficient and simplifies sample preparation.
• This method holds promise for practical applications in analyzing ascorbic acid in various samples.