A facile approach to cross-reactive colorimetric sensor arrays: an application in the recognition of the 20 natural amino acids

Abstract

A very facile approach for the design and fabrication of a colorimetric sensor array, by using only a single indicator–receptor couple at various ratios and concentrations, is described for the first time. As a proof-of-concept application, discrimination and identification of the 20 natural amino acids has been successfully accomplished. Classification analyses demonstrate that the as-fabricated colorimetric sensor array has a high dimensionality and, consequently, has the capability to recognize the 20 natural amino acids. Moreover, the amino acids can be qualitatively and semi-quantitatively detected by combining classification analyses, recognition patterns and corresponding fitting curves. The strategy developed in the current study likely represents a “maximally” simplified approach for design and fabrication of colorimetric sensor arrays, and could be taken full advantage of among investigators in the sensing application field.