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Turn-on, photostable, nontoxic and specific, iron(II) sensor
Helena M R Gonçalves1, Isabel S Tavares1, Susana A F Neves1
1REQUIMTE, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
Spectrochimica Acta. Part A, Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy
|September 25, 2021
Summary
A new fluorescent sensor detects Fe(II) ions in biological samples without causing cell damage. This reduced fluoresceinamine (RFL) sensor is highly stable and non-cytotoxic, unlike heavy metal quantum dots.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biomedical Sensing
Background:
- Developing specific sensors for Fe(II) is crucial for biological applications.
- Existing methods may lack specificity or exhibit cytotoxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a non-cytotoxic, turn-on fluorescent sensor for Fe(II) detection.
- To evaluate the sensor's performance and safety in biological contexts.
Main Methods:
- Design and synthesis of a reduced fluoresceinamine-based fluorescent sensor.
- Testing the sensor's ability to detect and quantify Fe(II) in the presence of interferents.
- Performing an erythrocyte assay to assess cytotoxicity, comparing with CdTe Quantum Dots (QDs).
Main Results:
- The sensor successfully detects and quantifies Fe(II) with high specificity.
- Achieved detection limit of 21.6 ± 0.1 μM and quantification limit of 65.6 ± 0.1 μM.
- The reduced fluoresceinamine (RFL) sensor demonstrated no cytotoxicity at high concentrations (660 mM), unlike QDs.
Conclusions:
- The developed RFL sensor is a sensitive, selective, and non-cytotoxic tool for Fe(II) detection.
- This sensor offers a safer alternative to heavy metal-based probes for biological applications.
- The sensor exhibits high photostability and a stable complex with Fe(II).
