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A simple, quantitative method for spectroscopic detection of metformin using gold nanoclusters
Reham Ali1, Fahad M Alminderej2, Sayed M Saleh3
1Chemistry Department, Science College, Suez University, 43518 Suez, Egypt; Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Qassim University, Buraidah 51452, Saudi Arabia.
Summary
This study developed a novel gold nanocluster nanosensor for detecting metformin, a diabetes drug. The sensor shows high sensitivity and accuracy in biological samples, offering a new diagnostic tool.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Bovine serum albumin (BSA)-stabilized gold nanoclusters (BSA-GNCs) are ultra-small nanomaterials with unique optical properties.
- Existing methods for metformin detection may lack sensitivity or require complex sample preparation.
- Copper(II) ions (Cu(II)) can quench the fluorescence of BSA-GNCs, creating an opportunity for developing 'turn-on' sensors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a sensitive 'turn-on' fluorescent nanosensor for metformin detection.
- To utilize Cu(II)-quenched BSA-GNCs as a platform for detecting metformin in biological fluids.
- To investigate the interaction mechanisms between BSA-GNCs, Cu(II), and metformin.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of BSA-GNCs using High-resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS).
- Fluorescence quenching of BSA-GNCs by Cu(II) ions.
- Detection of metformin by observing fluorescence recovery upon displacement of Cu(II) from BSA-GNCs.
- Spectroscopic analysis using Circular Dichroism (CD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to study interactions.
- Validation of the nanosensor in human serum and urine samples.
Main Results:
- BSA-GNCs exhibited fluorescence quenching in the presence of Cu(II).
- Metformin successfully displaced Cu(II) from BSA-GNCs, leading to fluorescence recovery ('turn-on' effect).
- The nanosensor demonstrated high sensitivity for metformin detection with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.068 μM and a dynamic range of 0.22 to 11 μM.
- Accurate metformin detection was confirmed in spiked human serum (96.00-98.50% recovery) and urine (92.60-96.62% recovery) samples.
Conclusions:
- BSA-GNCs provide a highly sensitive and specific fluorometric platform for metformin detection.
- The developed 'turn-on' nanosensor is effective for quantifying metformin in complex biological matrices.
- This methodology holds significant potential for routine clinical diagnostics and biomedical applications.
