Gold nanoclusters-based paper sensor for the visualized detection of nephrotoxic aristolochic acids

Abstract

Aristolochic acids (AAs), the main compounds of Aristolochia plants, have aroused increasing attention due to their irreversible nephrotoxicity, carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. Common approaches for AAs monitoring usually need expensive equipment, specially trained manipulators and time-consuming procedures. Thus, it is desirable to develop a simple, fast and easy to use approach for AAs detection. Herein, we reported a fluorescent approach to detect AAs by using the lysozyme-functionalized Au nanoclusters (Lys-AuNCs) as probe. The probe shows excellent tolerance to environment temperature and pH, and it is proved to work successfully for AAs detection in real samples (serum, plasma, urine and herbal extracts). Compared with high-performance liquid chromatography method (HPLC), fluorescence method can be finished within 1 min with a recovery of 117.49 %. With the help of the visible fluorescence as signal, a paper sensor is further prepared for a direct visual monitoring of AAs. It also exhibits good stability in various conditions. After the addition of AA-I, a concentration-dependent fluorescence signal on paper was observed by naked eyes under a UV lamp. The developed paper-based fluorescent sensor provides a portable and simple method for AAs detection in herbal products and environment.