A capillary-based fluorimetric platform for the evaluation of glucose in blood using gold nanoclusters and glucose oxidase in the ZIF-8 matrix

Abstract

A capillary-based fluorimetric analysis method was developed for probing glucose (Glu) in blood using Glu oxidase-anchored gold nanoclusters (GOD–AuNCs) and the ZIF-8 matrix. AuNCs were attached with GOD to be further encapsulated into the ZIF-8 matrix through the protein-mediated formation route. The resulting GOD–AuNCs@ZIF-8 nanocomposites could present the AuNC-improved catalysis of GOD and ZIF-8-improved environmental stability. The ZIF-8-enhanced fluorescence intensity of AuNCs could also be expected. Moreover, a capillary-based fluorometric platform was constructed for sensing Glu by coating the capillaries first with GOD–AuNCs and then the ZIF-8 matrix. Herein, Glu was introduced through the self-driven sampling to trigger the GOD-catalyzed production of hydrogen peroxide, which could induce the fluorescence quenching rationally depending on the Glu concentrations. The developed fluorimetric method could allow for the rapid and simple detection of Glu with the concentrations linearly ranging from 5.0 μM to 2.5 mM. Besides, the feasibility of practical applications was demonstrated by the evaluation of Glu in blood showing the recoveries of 96.2%–103.4%. Importantly, the proposed design of the capillary-based fluorimetric platform by the synergetic combination of catalysis-specific recognition and fluorescence signaling may open a new door toward extensive applications in the biological sensing, catalysis, and imaging fields.