In-situ determination of ferric ions in human blood serum using highly fluorescence nitrogen and boron co-doped carbon dots nanoprobe without serum preparation step: A direct and solvent-free method

Abstract

Different methods have been reported for Fe3+ ions determination as an essential element in many physiological processes, but most of these methods suffer from the consumption of solvent and time in the blood serum sample preparation stage. In this study, we report fabrication of a selective and sensitive high fluorescent nanoprobe based on the boron and nitrogen co-doped carbon dots for Fe3+ determination in aqueous solution and human blood serum as an important biological sample. Interestingly, under mildly acidic conditions, adjusted ionic strength, and the existence of EDTA, Fe3+ ions can be released from human serum transferrin, with no need for serum protein removal process as a separate step in sample preparation. Indeed, based on the innovative approach, both steps (consisting of Fe3+ ion release of protein and its detection) are in-situ performed. Notably, limit of detection of Fe3+ was improved from 4.72 μM to 0.61 μM and linear range from 40–250 μM to 1–500 μM, after optimization of conditions. Evaluation of obtained results by proposed method, was done using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The excellent precision and accuracy of achievement results, appear that designed nanoprobe is a promising novel method for ferric ion detection in biological systems.