Analysis of deferiprone in exhaled breath condensate using silver nanoparticle-enhanced terbium fluorescence

Abstract

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) has been proposed as an alternative non-invasive biological sample for therapeutic drug monitoring. In this study, a sensitive method for the quantification of deferiprone (DEF) in EBC samples was developed using a silver nanoparticle (AgNP)-enhanced terbium (Tb³⁺) fluorescence method. Fluorescence properties of the Tb³⁺–DEF complex were studied in the presence of AgNPs in EBC. Effects of various parameters such as AgNPs and Tb³⁺ concentrations, pH, and buffer concentration were studied. A calibration curve was obtained with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.999, and linearity was observed in the concentration range of 0.06–1.50 mg L⁻¹. The method was successfully applied for the quantification of DEF in sixteen patients with very low concentrations (0.06–0.17 mg L⁻¹) in the EBC samples.