Hu J, Wang L, Zhang X, Yu W, Gao HW, Solin N, Hu Z, Uvdal K. Selective colorimetric detection of copper (II) by a protein-based nanoprobe.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2021;
252:119462. [PMID:
33524823 DOI:
10.1016/j.saa.2021.119462]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we report a novel protein-based nanoprobe (PNP) that can be employed for quantitative analysis of Cu2+ in pure water medium and real samples. Structurally, the proposed nanoprobe comprises a biofriendly protein (hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL)) and a Cu2+-specific chromogenic agent, where HEWL acts as a nanocarrier encapsulating a structurally tailored rhodamine B derivate. The resulting PNP exhibits a hydrodynamic diameter of ~ 106 nm and efficiently disperses in water, enabling the detection of Cu2+ in pure aqueous systems without the aid of any organic co-solvents. The high sensitivity and selectivity of PNP allow the colorimetric detection of Cu2+ in the presence of other metal interferents with a low detection limit of 160 nM. The satisfying recovery of trace level Cu2+ in environmental samples demonstrate the great potential of employing PNP for the determination of Cu2+ in actual applications. Most importantly, the simple co-grinding method employing proteins and chromogenic agents provides a novel strategy to generate sensing systems that are useful detection of pollutants in aqueous samples.
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