In this paper, we present a simple and rapid colorimetric assay – using the polythymine oligonucleotide T33, citrate-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and phosphate-buffer saline (PBS) in the presence of Mn2+ – for the highly selective and sensitive detection of Hg2+ in an aqueous solution. Citrate-capped AuNPs adsorbed on randomly coiled T33 were dispersed well in PBS because of strong electrostatic repulsion between DNA molecules. In the presence of Hg2+, the formation of Hg2+–T33 complexes enabled the removal of T33 molecules from the NP surface, resulting in salt-induced NP aggregation. However, the T33-capped AuNPs (T33-AuNPs) were dispersed in PBS solution after the addition of 1.0 μM Hg2+, indicating that T33-AuNPs had poor colorimetric sensitivity toward Hg2+. We uncovered that the addition of Mn2+ to a solution containing 0.75 nM T33-AuNPs and 0.2× PBS resulted in an acceleration of the analysis time (within 5 min) and a 100-fold sensitivity improvement for the detection of Hg2+. As a result, the present approach enables the analysis of Hg2+ with a minimum detectable concentration that corresponds to 10 nM. This is probably attributed to that Mn2+ binds strongly to the phosphate backbone of DNA, thereby accelerating Hg2+-induced aggregation of the T33-AuNPs. Because Mn2+ can stabilize the folded structure of the Hg2+–T33 complex, Hg2+ facilitates the removal of T33 from the NP surface in the presence of Mn2+. This probe was successfully applied to the determination of Hg2+ in pond water. 相似文献
Safe and eco-friendly alternatives to currently used hazardous chemico-physical methods of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesis are need of time. Rapid, low cost, selective detection of toxic metals in environmental sample is important to take safety action. Toxicity assessment of engineered AgNPs is essential to avoid its side effects on human and non-target organisms. In the present study, biologically active latex from Euphorbia heterophylla (Poinsettia) was utilized for synthesis of AgNPs. AgNPs was of spherical shape and narrow size range (20–50 nm). Occurrence of elemental silver and crystalline nature of AgNPs was analyzed. Role of latex metabolites in reduction and stabilization of AgNPs was analyzed by FT-IR, protein coagulation test and phytochemical analysis. Latex-synthesized AgNPs showed potential in selective and sensitive detection of toxic mercury ions (Hg2+) with limit of detection around 100 ppb. Addition of Hg2+ showed marked deviation in color and surface plasmon resonance spectra of AgNPs. Toxicity studies on aquatic non-target species Daphnia magna showed that latex-synthesized AgNPs (20.66 ± 1.52 % immobilization) were comparatively very less toxic than chemically synthesized AgNPs (51.66 ± 1.52 % immobilization). Similarly, comparative toxicity study on human red blood cells showed lower hemolysis (4.46 ± 0.01 %) by latex-synthesized AgNPs as compared to chemically synthesized AgNPs causing 6.14 ± 0.01 % hemolysis. 相似文献
A novel selective and sensitive fluorescence ‘on-off-on’ probe based on tetraphenylethylene (TPE) motif for sequential recognition of Fe3+ and Hg2+ in water has been developed. Especially the complex 6-Fe3+ could behave as a ‘turn on’ fluorescent sensor over a wide-range pH value for detection of Hg2+. The selectivity of this complex for Hg2+ over other heavy and transition metal ions is excellent, and its sensitivity for Hg2+ is at 2 ppb in water. 相似文献
This paper reports the synthesis of azomethine-modified gold nanoparticles with azomethine (azomethine-AuNPs) in aqueous media, which were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), dynamic light scattering (DLS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The azomethine-AuNPs were employed as colorimetric for Cr3+ and Co2+ ions at pH 6.2–7.5 and 8.1–9.1, at room temperature in aqueous solution. In the presence of Cr3+ and Co2+, the azomethine-AuNPs induce aggregation of the nanoparticles. Upon aggregation, the surface plasmon absorption band red-shifts so that the nanoparticle solution appears a blue color. The sensitivity of azomethine-AuNPs towards other metal ions, Mg2+, Mn2+, Cr6+, Na+, Ni2+, Ag+, Al3+, Ca2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Hg2+, Cd2+, K+, Co3+, Ni2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ are negligible. This highly selective sensor allows a direct quantitative assay of Co2+ and Cr3+ with colorimetric detection limits of 83.22 and 108 nM, respectively.
A novel multifunctional fluorescent peptide sensor based on pentapeptide dansyl‐Gly‐His‐Gly‐Gly‐Trp‐COOH (D‐P5) was designed and synthesized efficiently using Fmoc solid‐phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). This fluorescent peptide sensor shows selective and sensitive responses to Hg2+ and Cu2+ among 17 metal ions and six anions studied in N‐2‐hydroxyethylpiperazine‐N‐2‐ethane sulfonic acid (HEPES) buffer solution. The peptide probe differentiates Hg2+ and Cu2+ ions by a ‘turn‐on’ response to Hg2+ and a ‘turn‐off’ response to Cu2+. Upon addition of Hg2+ or Cu2+ ions, the sensor displayed an apparent color change that was visible under an ultraviolet lamp to the naked eye. The limits of detection (LOD) of DP‐5 were 25.0 nM for Hg2+ and 85.0 nM for Cu2+; the detection limits for Cu2+ were much lower than the drinking water maximum contaminant levels set out by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). It is noteworthy that both D‐P5‐Hg and D‐P5‐Cu systems were also used to detect S2? successfully based on the formation of ternary complexes. The LODs of D‐P5‐Hg and D‐P5‐Cu systems for S2? were 217.0 nM and 380.0 nM, respectively. Furthermore, the binding stoichiometry, binding affinity and pH sensitivity of the probe for Hg2+ and Cu2+ were investigated. This study gives new possibilities for using a short fluorescent peptide sensor for multifunctional detection, especially for anions. 相似文献
L-Cysteine (Cys) is a non-essential sulfur-containing amino acid, crucial for protein synthesis, detoxification, and several metabolic functions. Cys is widely used in the agricultural, food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. So, a suitable sensitive and selective sensing approach is of great interest, and a low-cost sensor would be necessary. This article presents silver nanoparticles (EuAgNPs) synthesized by a green synthesis method using Eugenia uniflora L. extracts and photoreduction. The nanoparticles were characterized by UV/VIS, transmission electron microscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), FTIR, and Zeta potential. With the addition of Cys in the EuAgNPs solution, the terminal thiol part of L-cysteine binds on the surface of nanoparticles through Ag−S bond. The EuAgNPs and CysAgNPs coexist until flavonoids bound the amino group of Cys, enhancing the red color of solutions. The EuAgNPs provided selectivity to detect Cys among other amino acids, and its detection limit was found to be 3.8 nM. The sensor has the advantages of low-cost synthesis, fast response, high selectivity, and sensitivity. 相似文献
Plasmonic nanoparticles are of great importance owing to their highly responsive ‘localized surface plasmon resonance’ (LSPR) behaviour to self-agglomeration/aggregation leading to the development of various nanosensors. Herein, we demonstrated the definite self-assembly of citrate functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into a one-dimensional linear chain in presence of charged lead ions (Pb2+), one of the most toxic heavy metal pollutants. We have explored detail mechanism using a variety of spectroscopic tools and electron microscopy. The self-aggregation of AgNPs leads to the generation of new LSPR modes due to coupling of nearby existing modes. The conclusion of our experimental findings is duly supported by our developed numerical modelling based on the quasi-static approximation that the generated new LSPR modes are solely due to formation of chain-like aggregation of AgNPs. We have also monitored the LSPR spectra in the presence of other metal ions; however, only Pb2+ found to give such unique self-assembled geometry may due to its high interaction affinity with citrate. These findings play a key role for citrate functionalised AgNPs to be used as a low cost highly selective and sensitive lead ion sensor for potential application in industrial lead pollution monitoring. We have further varied several sensor parameters such as AgNPs size, concentration, and the allowed reaction time for it to be practically implemented as an efficient lead sensor meeting the Environmental Protection Agency recommendations.
Graphical abstract
The possible sensing mechanism of citrate-functionalized silver nanoparticles towards Pb2?+?followed by unique chain-like aggregation for potential atmospheric and industrial lead pollution monitoring.
Ion exchange or biosorptive processes for metalremoval generally lack specificity in metal bindingand are sensitive to ambient conditions, e.g. pH,ionic strength and the presence of metal chelators. Inthis study, cells of a genetically engineered Escherichia coli strain, JM109, which expressesmetallothionein and a Hg2+ transport system afterinduction were evaluated for their selectivity forHg2+ accumulation in the presence of sodium,magnesium, or cadmium ions and their sensitivity to pHor the presence of metal chelators during Hg2+bioaccumulation. The genetically engineered E.coli cells in suspension accumulated Hg2+effectively at low concentrations (0-20 µM) overa broad range of pH (3 to 11). The presence of 400 mMsodium chloride, 200 mM magnesium chloride, or100 µM cadmium ions did not have a significanteffect on the bioaccumulation of 5 µm Hg2+,indicating that this process is not sensitive to highionic strength and is highly selective against sodium,magnesium, or cadmium ions. Metal chelators usuallyinterfere with ion exchange or biosorptive processes.However, two common metal chelators, EDTA and citrate,had no significant effect on Hg2+ bioaccumulationby the genetically engineered strain. These resultssuggest that this E. coli strain could be usedfor selective removal of Hg2+ from waste water orfrom contaminated solutions which are resistant tocommon treatments. A second potential applicationwould be to remove Hg2+ from Hg2+-contaminated soil, sediment, or particulates bywashing them with a Hg2+ chelator andregenerating the chelator by passing the solutionthrough a reactor containing the strain. 相似文献
Currently, the fluorescent probe is an important method for detecting heavy metal ions, especially mercury ion (Hg2+), which is harmful to the health of humans and the environment due to its toxicity and extensive use. In this paper, we designed and synthesized a colorimetric and long‐wavelength fluorescent probe Hg‐P with high sensitivity and excellent selectivity, which could detect Hg2+ by the changes of visual color, fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy. With the addition of Hg2+ to probe Hg‐P solution, its color changed from yellow to pink, and showed a 171 nm red‐shifted absorption spectrum. Probe Hg‐P was used in real water and soil solution samples to detect Hg2+, and the result is satisfactory. Therefore, this new probe shows great value and application in detecting Hg2+ in the environment. 相似文献
Plasmonics - Here, we report a highly stable and sensitive colorimetric assay for Cr3+ based on amido black 10B-stabilized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as the probes. The detection mechanism is... 相似文献
Mercuric ion interacts with indoles, including tryptophan, to produce complexes whose absorption spectra are broader, less structured, and red-shifted as compared with those of the parent compound. Fluorescence and phosphorescence are totally quenched. In a survey of the effect of transition metal ions on tryptophan fluorescence, the strong quenching by Hg2+ was unique among the uncolored ions. Mercuric nitrate quenched the fluorescence of practically every protein tested, but the sensitivity to quenching varied with the protein. Ovalbumin was the most sensitive to quenching by Hg2+, over 70% of the intrinsic fluorescence being quenched by 2 moles of mercuric ion. Difference absorption spectra show that sulfhydryl groups are attacked by these reagents and Hg2+ is, in addition, perturbing the environment near some tryptophans. In contrast to Hg2+, Zn2+ had negligible effect on protein fluorescence. The emission spectra of proteins which were partly quenched by mercuric ion showed shifts in their maxima to higher or lower wavelengths. This suggests that mercuric ion quenched certain tryptophans more than others, and supports the idea that protein fluorescence is heterogeneous and arises from tryptophans in different microenvironments. 相似文献
The sensitive and reliable detection of Hg2+ and CN− as harsh environmental contaminants are of great importance. In view of this, a novel ‘on–off–on’ fluorescent probe based on nitrogen-rich silicon quantum dots (NR-SiQDs) has been designed for sensitive detection of Hg2+ and CN− ions in aqueous medium. NR-SiQDs were synthesized using a facile, one-step, and environment friendly procedure in the presence of 3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (APTMS) and ascorbic acid (AA) as precursors, with l -asparagine as a nitrogen source for surface modification. The NR-SiQDs exhibited strong fluorescence emission at 450 nm with 42.34% quantum yield, satisfactory salt tolerance, and superior photostability and pH stability. The fluorescence emission was effectively quenched using Hg2+ (turn-off) due to the formation of a nonfluorescent stable NR-SiQDs/Hg2+ complex, whereas after the addition of cyanide ions (CN−), Hg2+ ions could be leached from the surface of the NR-SiQDs and the fluorescence emission intensity of the quenched NR-SiQDs fully recovered (turn-on) due to the formation of highly stable [Hg(CN)4]2− species. After optimizing the response conditions, the obtained limits of detection were found to be 53 nM and 0.46 μM for Hg2+ and CN−, respectively. Finally, the NR-SiQD-based fluorescence probe was utilized to detect Hg2+ and CN− ions in water samples and satisfactory results were obtained, suggesting its potential application for environmental monitoring. 相似文献