Nanomolar detection of Hcy, GSH and Cys in aqueous solution, test paper and living cells

Abstract

A novel naphthalimide-based fluorescent probe was designed and synthesized for thiol recognition with high sensitivity and excellent selectivity. The probe can detect thiol quantitatively in a concentration range of 0–6.0 μM and the detection limit could be as low as 1.6 nM. The fluorescence enhancement of this probe upon addition of Cys on test paper and the application of the probe for selective detection of intracellular Hcy, GSH and Cys have been successfully demonstrated.