Colorimetric ALP detection with a ligand-exchanged Au₈ cluster.

Area of Science:

• Nanomaterials Science
• Biochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Oxidase-like activity in nanomaterials is crucial for catalytic applications.
• Superoxide radical (O₂˙^-) detection is important in biological and environmental monitoring.
• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a biomarker for various diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize an atomically precise gold nanocluster with oxidase-like activity.
• To investigate the potential of this nanocluster for the sensitive and specific detection of ALP.
• To explore the diagnostic utility of the developed detection method.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of an atomically precise Au₈ nanocluster using ligand exchange.
• Characterization of the nanocluster's structure and properties.
• Assay development for ALP detection based on superoxide radical quenching.

Main Results:

• The synthesized Au₈ nanocluster demonstrated significant oxidase-like catalytic activity.
• ALP was found to effectively quench superoxide radicals in the presence of the Au₈ nanocluster.
• A sensitive and specific colorimetric method for ALP detection was established.

Conclusions:

• Atomically precise Au₈ nanoclusters possess inherent oxidase-like activity.
• This activity enables a novel colorimetric approach for ALP detection.
• The developed method shows promise for diagnostic applications.