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Molecularly imprinted polymer-modified carbon dots as a fluorescent probe for caffeic acid detection
Yajuan Chang1, Sunan Liu1, Xiaojuan Jin1
1Xuzhou Medical University Xuzhou Jiangsu 221004 China.
RSC Advances
|July 6, 2026
Summary
This study developed a novel fluorescent probe for detecting caffeic acid, a compound found in nature. The probe accurately measures caffeic acid levels in serum, aiding health management and clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Caffeic acid is a natural phenolic compound with health benefits at certain levels but can cause toxicity with excessive intake.
- Accurate and rapid detection of caffeic acid in serum is crucial for clinical medication guidance, drug monitoring, and health management.
- Existing detection methods may lack the precision or speed required for timely clinical and health assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a sensitive and selective fluorescent probe for the quantitative detection of caffeic acid in human serum.
- To create a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) based fluorescent probe utilizing blue fluorescent carbon dots (bCDs).
- To validate the probe's performance, including its limit of detection and applicability in real biological samples.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized blue fluorescent carbon dots (bCDs) using a hydrothermal method with citric acid and diethylenetriamine.
- Constructed a molecularly imprinted silica shell onto the bCDs surface via a sol-gel process to create the bCDs@MIP probe.
- Utilized fluorescence quenching mechanism where caffeic acid binding to MIP cavities reduces fluorescence intensity for quantification.
Main Results:
- The bCDs@MIP probe demonstrated selective binding to caffeic acid through molecular imprinting.
- A positive correlation was observed between reduced fluorescence intensity and increasing caffeic acid concentration.
- Achieved a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.15 µM for caffeic acid.
- Successfully applied the probe for caffeic acid determination in human serum samples.
Conclusions:
- The developed bCDs@MIP fluorescent probe offers a promising and sensitive strategy for caffeic acid analysis.
- The probe's selectivity and sensitivity enable accurate quantification in complex matrices like human serum.
- This method provides a valuable tool for clinical diagnostics, therapeutic drug monitoring, and health management related to caffeic acid intake.
