Colorimetric and fluorometric dual-readout sensor for lysozyme

Abstract

A novel, highly sensitive and selective dual-readout sensor (colorimetric and fluorometric) for the detection of lysozyme was proposed. The fluorescence of triazolylcoumarin molecules was quenched by Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) initially through the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), after the addition of lysozyme, the stronger binding of lysozyme onto the surfaces of AuNPs made triazolylcoumarin molecules remove from the AuNPs surface and led to the recovery of the fluorescence of triazolylcoumarin molecules, and accompanied by the discernable color change of the solution from red to purple. The lowest detectable concentration for lysozyme was 50 ng mL⁻¹ by the naked eye, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 23 ng mL⁻¹ by fluorescence measurements. In addition, satisfactory results for lysozyme detection in hen egg white were confirmed in the study. Moreover, the presented sensor provides a reliable option to determine lysozyme with high sensitivity and selectivity.