DEVELOPING A SENSOR SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFICATION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS AS ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICANTS IN AQUEOUS AND PROTEIN MEDIA

Abstract

Aim: to investigate the possibility of identifying toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in aqueous and protein media using a fluorescent sensor system based on serum albumins. Methods: The studies were conducted using fluorescent methods, in particular, by quenching the intrinsic fluorescence of proteins, recording the fluorescence of PAHs and using the pyrene luminescent probe. Results: It was experimentally found that when PAHs were introduced into serum albumin solutions, a general decrease in the fluorescence intensity of proteins was observed, indicating PAHs' binding to protein macromolecules and, probably, the formation of a non-fluorescent serum protein-PAH complex. The analysis of the fluorescence spectra of PAHs in serum albumins was carried out. The dependences of changes in the intensity of the fluorescence spectra maxima of PAHs in albumins with an increase in the concentration of PAHs were linear, which makes it possible to use these systems for analytical purposes to determine toxic PAHs in protein and aqueous media. Conclusions: The results of the luminescent study on the interaction of PAHs with protein molecules can be used for monitoring of environmental toxicants in various media, as well as for the development of the methods for early diagnosis of diseases associated with the effect of various agents on the proteins.