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Highly dispersive AuNCs/ChOx@ZIF-8/PEI nanocomplexes for fluorescent detection of cholesterol in human serum

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Abstract

Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) are widely used in the fluorescence detection of biomolecules in human serum due to their good fluorescence properties, low toxicity, and better biocompatibility. However, the weak fluorescence intensity of AuNCs limits the fluorescence detection of molecules within a wide concentration range. It is reported that coating AuNCs in ZIF-8 with adjustable pore size can effectively improve the fluorescence intensity of AuNCs and broaden the detection range. And the AuNCs wrapped in the gaps of ZIF-8 can prevent the fluorescence quenching caused by the aggregation of AuNCs. However, ZIF-8 has high crystallinity, poor dispersion, and easy deposition, which reduces the fluorescence stability of the detection system and affects the detection. Based on the above research, the highly hydrophilic polymer PEI was modified to the surface of ZIF-8, and a kind of nanocomposite material AuNCs/ChOx@ZIF-8/PEI was obtained by co-encapsulating AuNCs prepared with glutathione as a ligand and cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) into ZIF-8 modified with PEI. The composite material emits strong red light at 650 nm under the excitation of 395-nm light, and the system can sensitively detect cholesterol (Chol) in human serum. Compared with other materials, the PEI-modified composite has better solubility and stability, so the detection effect of Chol is better. Encapsulation of ChOx in the ZIF-8 shell can protect the enzyme and increase the local concentration of ChOx, thereby speeding up the reaction rate. Compared with free AuNCs/ChOx, the quenching rate of AuNCs/ChOx@ZIF-8/PEI system is doubled. Secondly, the addition of Fe2+ to the detection process results in higher quenching rate and detection sensitivity. The system can detect Chol in the concentration range 0.1–2.4 μM, with a detection limit of 0.073 μM. The determination is a fast and sensitive strategy. In addition, the practicability of this assay in the detection of Chol in human serum has been verified. Due to its selectivity and sensitivity, it has potential application value in clinical diagnosis.

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Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 11774048) and the Project from Key Laboratory for UV-Emitting Materials and Technology of Ministry of Education (No. 130028723).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Advanced Optoelectronic Functional Materials Research, Key Laboratory for UV Light-Emitting Materials and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China

    Jinglei Ding, Wenqi Zhang, Fengying Xue, Yu Sun, Quizhu Yan, Yanwei Chen & Guiye Shan

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  1. Jinglei Ding
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  2. Wenqi Zhang
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Correspondence to Yanwei Chen.

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Ding, J., Zhang, W., Xue, F. et al. Highly dispersive AuNCs/ChOx@ZIF-8/PEI nanocomplexes for fluorescent detection of cholesterol in human serum. Microchim Acta 189, 203 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-022-05306-5

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