C. Halicacabum derived “turn-on-off” non-invasive molecularly imprinted polymer for selective profiling of 2-(3,4-dihydroxy phenyl) ethylamine in human fluid samples

Abstract

A rationally designed “Turn on-off” molecularly imprinted fluorescent probe SCDs-MPs serves as a robust platform for the specific identification of aberrant dopamine (DA) levels. In this study, carbon dots (SCDs) were synthesized usingCardiospermum Halicacabum leaf extract as a carbon source via a step hydrothermal process. The synergistic integration of the synthesized fluorophore SCDs (QY–27.6 %) with molecularly imprinted elements via reverse micro-emulsion technique forms novel C. Halicacabum derived SCDs-MPs nanocomposite. The synthesized SCDs-MPs possess various inimitable properties such as hydrophilicity (WCA of 12.9°) suitability for detection in aqueous media, the narrow bandgap of 3.45 eV attributed to the electron-donating nature, and photostability. Fluorescence lifetime, from 6.38 ns to 6.17 ns after adding dopamine to SCDs-MPs, and zeta potential studies (–32.9 mV to –23.9 mV) validate the static fluorescence quenching mechanism in SCDs-MPs. Under various modifications and experimental conditions, SCDs-MPs consistently achieved a low dopamine detection limit of 6.4 pM within the range of 0–50 µM. Excellent recovery experiments in human fluid samples (98–102 %) confirm the fluorescent probe’s empirical reliability. The MTT assay confirms the superior biocompatibility of SCDs-MPs, with cell viability remaining at ± 24.03 % at a concentration of 200 µg/ml suggesting the safe usage for invitro administration. This opens new possibilities for utilizing C. Halicacabum derived SCDs-MPs material in biomedical contexts.