An innovative green sensing strategy based on Cu-doped Tragacanth/Chitosan nano carbon dots for Isoniazid detection

Although Isoniazid (INH) is one of the drugs used as the first line treatment of tuberculosis, its high concentrations in the human body can cause severe complications such as; recurrent seizures, profound metabolic acidosis, coma and even death. Hence it is necessary to designing the sensors capable of detecting very low amounts of drug. A Cu doped Tragacanth/Chitosan carbon dot (CD) with excellent optical properties and photo-thermal stability was synthesized, characterized and used for sensing Isoniazid by a fluorescence Off-ON mechanism based on redox reaction between INH and Fe³⁺ as quencher. During the first step of reaction, Fe³⁺ bind to the CDs and due to an electron transfer process the fluorescence intensity of CDs is quenched. There after by introduction of Isoniazid to the CDs-Fe³⁺ system, Fe³⁺ converts to Fe²⁺ and the fluorescence was recovered. Experiments confirm that new method has high ability to detect low concentration of Isoniazid even in the presence of other drugs and interfering materials. In conclusion, this innovative strategy for developing a low cost and sensitive sensor can be used in future health-related programs.