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Dual-probe (colorimetric and fluorometric) detection of ferritin using antibody-modified gold@carbon dot nanoconjugates

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Abstract

A dual-mode assay is described for immunological determination of the anemia biomarker ferritin. It is based on the use of a gold@carbon dot (Au@CD) nanoconjugate as a colorimetric and fluorescent probe. Au@CD is hydrophilic, easily surface modified and stable in aqueous solution. The Au@CD have a red color with blue-green fluorescence and were modified with antibody against ferritin. This allows bi-modal detection of ferritin. Assays can be performed in phosphate buffer and were also analyzed in (Bovine Serum Albumin) BSA and (Fetal Bovine Serum) FBS. Detection is based on antigen-antibody interaction underlying the classical sandwich model. Response to ferritin can be detected by spectrophotometry (at 570 nm) or fluorescence (at excitation/emission maxima of 354/454 nm). Under optimal conditions, the assay has a linear response in the 1 to 120 ngmL−1 ferritin concentration range and detection limits of 20 ng (colorimetrically) and 64 ng (fluorometrically).

Schematic representation of the function of the designed nanoprobe. The Au@CD nanoconjugates are functionalized with ferritin antibody in the initial step which specifically interacts with ferritin molecules leading to aggregation and subsequent changes in the optical and fluorescence signals.

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Acknowledgments

EP is thankful to DST-SERB for National Postdoctoral Fellowship under the grant number PDF/2017/000024. The authors thank the Advanced Instrument Research Facility of the University for Analytical Characterization.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India

    Eepsita Priyadarshini & Paulraj Rajamani

  2. Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India

    Kamla Rawat

  3. School of Physical Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India

    Himadri B. Bohidar

  4. Special Centre for Nano Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India

    Himadri B. Bohidar

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  1. Eepsita Priyadarshini
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  2. Kamla Rawat
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  4. Paulraj Rajamani
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Correspondence to Paulraj Rajamani.

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Priyadarshini, E., Rawat, K., Bohidar, H.B. et al. Dual-probe (colorimetric and fluorometric) detection of ferritin using antibody-modified gold@carbon dot nanoconjugates. Microchim Acta 186, 687 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-019-3802-1

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