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S,N-doped carbon dots as a fluorescent probe for bilirubin

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Abstract

Carbon dots doped with sulfur and nitrogen (S,N-CDs) were utilised to design a paper-stripe based fluorescent probe for the detection of bilirubin. The S,N-CDs were synthesized through a microwave assisted route by using citric acid as carbon source and L-cysteine as a source of nitrogen and sulfur. The S,N-CDs exhibit bright blue fluorescence emission with a peak at 452 nm. Fluorescence is quenched by Fe(III) but selectively restored by bilirubin. The quenched fluorescent probe exhibit significant selectivity and sensitivity for bilirubin in the 0.2 nM to 2 nM concentration range, with a 0.12 nM detection limit. The method was applied to the determination of bilirubin in spiked human serum and urine samples. The method was used to design a paper based test stripe as a point of care device for visual bilirubin detection.

Schematic representation of sulphur and nitrogen doped carbon dots whose fluorescence is quenched by Fe(III) and turned on by bilirubin. Photograph of the corresponding system under day light and UV shows the feasibility of the phenomenon. The applicability of the assay was further extended by impregnating the probe on a filter paper.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the Professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry, University of Kerala for providing the research facilities. Authors also appreciate SAIF, MGU – India.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, University of Kerala, Kariavattom Campus, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 695581, India

    R. R. Anjana, J. S. Anjali Devi, M. Jayasree, R. S. Aparna, B. Aswathy, G. L. Praveen, G. M. Lekha & George Sony

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  1. R. R. Anjana
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  2. J. S. Anjali Devi
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Correspondence to George Sony.

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Anjana, R.R., Anjali Devi, J.S., Jayasree, M. et al. S,N-doped carbon dots as a fluorescent probe for bilirubin. Microchim Acta 185, 11 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-017-2574-8

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