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Synthesis of Near-Infrared Emitting Gold Nanoclusters for Biological Applications
Published on: March 22, 2020
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Dual-functional cellulase-mediated gold nanoclusters for ascorbic acid detection and fluorescence bacterial imaging
Baojuan Wang1,2, Jinxin Fang1,2, Huiliang Tang1,2
1Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology and Mechanism of Major Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui, China.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
|September 15, 2023
Summary
We developed a novel cellulase-protected fluorescent gold nanocluster (Cel-Au NCs) for detecting ascorbic acid (AA) and labeling bacteria. This dual-function bioprobe shows potential in medical diagnostics and health maintenance.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterials Science
- Biochemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Protein-protected metal nanomaterials offer unique fluorescent properties for biomedical applications.
- Gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) are promising due to their biocompatibility and tunable fluorescence.
- Cellulase protection enhances the stability and functionality of Au NCs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel cellulase-protected fluorescent gold nanoclusters (Cel-Au NCs).
- To develop a sensitive biosensor for ascorbic acid (AA) detection using Cel-Au NCs.
- To evaluate the utility of Cel-Au NCs for bacterial labeling in vitro.
Main Methods:
- Facile and green one-step synthesis of Cel-Au NCs.
- Fluorescence spectroscopy for characterization and sensing.
- Application of Cel-Au NCs as a fluorescence turn-off biosensor for AA.
- Bacterial staining assays with gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
Main Results:
- Cel-Au NCs exhibit red fluorescence (emission at 680 nm) upon excitation (560 nm).
- The biosensor demonstrated linearity for AA detection from 10-400 µM with a 2.5 µM detection limit.
- Successful AA quantification in serum samples with high recovery rates (98.76%-104.83%).
- Effective red fluorescence staining of *Bacillus subtilis*, *Staphylococcus aureus*, and *Escherichia coli*.
Conclusions:
- Cel-Au NCs are effective dual-functional fluorescent bioprobes.
- The developed biosensor offers a sensitive method for AA detection.
- Cel-Au NCs show promise for bacterial identification and imaging in medical diagnostics.
