Green synthesis of fluorescent carbon dots for determination of glucose in biofluids using a paper platform

In this paper, we describe a novel carbon dot (CD) synthesized from citric acid and tyramine using a one-step microwave heating route. Under UV irradiation, the CD displayed blue emission that was quenched in the presence of H₂O₂ and peroxidase. This property was used to quantify glucose in biological samples, using a standard additions procedure employing a paper platform and the H₂O₂ formed in the enzymatic reaction with glucose oxidase. The attractive features of the paper platform include low cost, easy availability, biocompatibility, and hydrophilicity. The standard additions calibration method has the advantages that it can be performed using a single device, eliminates the need for external calibration, and reduces matrix effects associated with the sample and/or non-uniformity of the paper. The method developed was applied in the analysis of certified serum and urine samples. There were no statistically significant differences between the certified concentrations and the results obtained using the paper device with standard additions (Student's t-test at 95% confidence level).