Abstract
Thiol-bearing microcrystalline cellulose was demonstrated for the first time as a substrate for colorimetric detection of urinary cysteine based on the aggregation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the cellulose surface. The cellulose was functionalized with 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane and doped with Ag(NH3)2+ (Ag-MCC). The obtained Ag-MCC was used to extract cysteine from samples, given the strong affinity of the thiol group of cysteine toward silver species. After treating the material with NaBH4 solution, AgNPs were produced on the material surface and the aggregation of AgNPs was induced by cysteine. The material color changed from yellow to orange and purple with increasing cysteine concentration. The color intensities were observed using a smartphone and ImageJ software. Under the optimized conditions, the linear working range for cysteine determination was in the range of 0 – 25 µM with the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.25 and 1.0 µM, respectively. The method was further applied to detect cysteine in human urine samples, and the recovery was found in the range of 81.2 to 110%. This cellulose showed potential as a green material for sensing applications with easy surface modification. The detection of micromolar-level cysteine was achievable with this concept using only a smartphone camera.
Graphical Abstract
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in the article.
References
Afsharipour R, Dadfarnia S, Shabani AMH, Kazemi E, Pedrini A, Verucchi R (2021) Fabrication of a sensitive colorimetric nanosensor for determination of cysteine in human serum and urine samples based on magnetic-sulfur, nitrogen graphene quantum dots as a selective platform and Au nanoparticles. Talanta 226:122055. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2020.122055
Agnihotri S, Mukherji S, Mukherji S (2014) Size-controlled silver nanoparticles synthesized over the range 5–100 nm using the same protocol and their antibacterial efficacy. RSC Adv 4:3974–3983. https://doi.org/10.1039/C3RA44507K
AOAC Official Methods of Analysis (2016) Appendix F: Guidelines for Standard Method Performance Requirements. AOAC International, pp 1–18
Boobphahom S, Rodthongkum R (2023) Graphene oxide-alginate hydrogel-based indicator displacement assay integrated with diaper for non-invasive Alzheimer’s disease screening. Int J Biol Macromol 253:126316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126316
Chaib A, Boukhalfa N, Boudjemaa A (2021) Congo Red removal using Fesdis soil: kinetic, equilibrium and thermodynamic studies. Int J Environ Anal Chem 103(15):3447–3467. https://doi.org/10.1080/03067319.2021.1910246
Claro AM, Amaral NCD, Colturato VMM, Aleixo NA, Paiva R, Cruz SA, Monteiro GC, Carvalho GSGD, Nogueira FAR, Defune E, Iemma MRC, Barud HS (2022) Siloxane-modified bacterial cellulose as a promising platform for cell culture. Cellulose 29:9597–9608. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-022-04872-4
Deilamy-Rad G, Asghari K, Tavallali H (2020) Development of a reversible indicator displacement assay based on the 1-(2-Pyridylazo)-2-naphthol for colorimetric determination of cysteine in biological samples and its application to constructing the paper test strips and a molecular-scale set/reset memorized device. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 192:85–102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-019-03165-0
Dizman HM, Kazancioglu EO, Shigemune T, Takahara S, Arsu N (2022) High sensitivity colorimetric determination of L-cysteine using gold nanoparticles functionalized graphene oxide prepared by photochemical reduction method. Spectrochim Acta Part A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 264:120294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2021.120294
Emenike EC, Iwuozor KO, Saliu OD, Ramontja J, Adeniyi AG (2023) Advances in the extraction, classification, modification, emerging and advanced applications of crystalline cellulose: a review. Carbohydr Polymer Tech Appl 6:100337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carpta.2023.100337
Fan J, Zhang S, Li F, Shi J (2020) Cellulose-based sensors for metal ions detection. Cellulose 27:5477–5507. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-020-03158-x
Hoeve KV, Vermeersch P, Regal L, Levtchenko E (2011) Necessity of Fractionated Urine Collection for Monitoring Patients with Cystinuria. Clin Chem 57(5):780–781. https://doi.org/10.1373/clinchem.2010.161547
Kateshiya MR, George G, Rohit JV, Malek NI, Kailasa SK (2020) Ractopamine as a novel reagent for the fabrication of gold nanoparticles: Colorimetric sensing of cysteine and Hg2+ ion with different spectral characteristics. Microchemical 158:105212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2020.105212
Katrusiak AE, Paterson PG, Kamencic H, Shoker A, Lyon AW (2001) Pre-column derivatization high-performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of cysteine, cysteinyl–glycine, homocysteine and glutathione in plasma and cell extracts. J Chromatogr B 758(2):207–212. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4347(01)00182-7
Kim SH, Choi PP (2017) Enhanced Congo red dye removal from aqueous solutions using iron nanoparticles: adsorption, kinetics, and equilibrium studies. Dalton Trans 46:15470–15479. https://doi.org/10.1039/C7DT02076G
Kuśmierek K, Głowacki R, Bald E (2006) Analysis of urine for cysteine, cysteinylglycine, and homocysteine by high-performance liquid chromatography. Anal Bioanal Chem 385:855–860. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-006-0454-x
Li RS, Zhang HZ, Ling J, Huang CZ, Wang J (2016) Plasmonic platforms for colorimetric sensing of cysteine. Appl Spectrosc Rev 51(2):129–147. https://doi.org/10.1080/05704928.2015.1092155
Liu C, Miao Y, Zhang X, Zhang S, Zhao X (2020a) Colorimetric determination of cysteine by a paper-based assay system using aspartic acid modified gold nanoparticles. Microchim Acta 187(6):1–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-020-04333-4
Liu L, Zhu G, Zeng W, Yi Y, Lv B, Qian J, Zhang D (2020b) Silicon quantum dot-coated onto gold nanoparticles as an optical probe for colorimetric and fluorometric determination of cysteine. Microchim Acta 186(98):1–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-019-3228-9
Liu Y, Jiang D, Xu Q (2024) Emerging dissolving strategy of cellulose nanomaterial for flexible electronics sensors in wearable devices: a review. Cellulose 31:27–60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-023-05635-5
Mehta SM, Mehta S, Muthurajan H, D’Souza JS (2019) Vertical flow paper-based plasmonic device for cysteine detection. Biomed Microdevices 21:55. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10544-019-0399-4
Nam S, Condon BD (2014) Internally dispersed synthesis of uniform silver nanoparticles via in situ reduction of [Ag(NH3)2]+ along natural microfibrillar substructures of cotton fiber. Cellulose 21:2963–2972. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-014-0270-y
Nishimura S, Mott D, Takagaki A, Maenosono S, Ebitani K (2011) Role of base in the formation of silver nanoparticles synthesized using sodium acrylate as a dual reducing and encapsulating agent. Phys Chem Chem Phys 13:9335–9343. https://doi.org/10.1039/C0CP02985H
Prasetia R, Fuangswasdi S, Unob F (2019) Silver nanoparticle-supported hydroxyapatite as a material for visual detection of urinary cysteine. Anal Methods 11(22):2888–2894. https://doi.org/10.1039/C9AY00725C
Razavi F, Khajehsharifi H (2021) A colorimetric paper-based sensor with nanoporous SBA-15 for simultaneous determination of histidine and cysteine in urine samples. Chem Pap 75:3401–3410. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-021-01548-4
Rehman T, Shabbir MA, Inam-Ur-Raheem M, Manzoor MF, Ahmad N, Liu ZW, Ahmad MH, Siddeeg A, Abid M, Aadil RM (2020) Cysteine and homocysteine as biomarker of various diseases. Food Sci Nutr 8:4696–4707. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.1818
Rejeeth C, Sharma A, Babu VN, Gautam R (2020) Label-free colorimetric detection of serum cysteine using Ag-NP probes in the presence of Be2+ ions. New J Chem 44:9018–9024. https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NJ00967A
Shariati S, Khayatian G (2021) The colorimetric and microfluidic paper-based detection of cysteine and homocysteine using 1, 5-diphenylcarbazide-capped silver nanoparticles. RSC Adv 11(6):3295–3303. https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA08615K
Weaving G, Rocks BF, Iversen SA, Titheradge MA (2006) Simultaneous quantitation of homocysteine, cysteine and methionine in plasma and urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Ann Clin Biochem 43:474–480. https://doi.org/10.1258/000456306778904605
Worramongkona P, Seeda K, Phansomboon P, Ratnarathorn N, Chailapakul O, Dungchai W (2018) A simple paper-based colorimetric device for rapid and sensitive urinary oxalate determinations. Anal Sci 34(1):103–108. https://doi.org/10.2116/analsci.34.103
Xue Z, Fu X, Rao H, Ibrahim MH, Xiong L, Liu X, Lu X (2017) A colorimetric indicator-displacement assay for cysteine sensing based on a molecule-exchange mechanism. Talanta 174:667–672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2017.07.012
Xue Z, Xiong L, Peng H, Rao H, Liu X, Lu X (2018) A selective colorimetric sensing strategy for cysteine based on an indicator-displacement mechanism. New J Chem 42:4324–4330. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7nj03887a
Xue F, He H, Zhu H, Huang H, Wu Q, Wang S (2019) Structural Design of a Cellulose-Based Solid Amine Adsorbent for the Complete Removal and Colorimetric Detection of Cr(VI). Langmuir 35(39):12636–12646. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b01788
Yang M, Yan Y, Shi H, Wang C, Liu E, Hu X, Fan J (2019) Efficient inner filter effect sensors based on CdTeS quantum dots and Ag nanoparticles for sensitive detection of L-cysteine. J Alloy Compd 781:1021–1027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2018.12.156
Yin J, Ren W, Yang G, Duan J, Huang X, Fang R, Li C, Li T, Yin Y, Hou Y, Kim SW, Wu G (2016) L-Cysteine metabolism and its nutritional implications. Mol Nutr Food Res 60:134–146. https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201500031
Yoo J, So H, Yang M, Lee KJ (2019) Effect of chloride ion on synthesis of silver nanoparticle using retrieved silver chloride as a precursor from the electronic scrap. Appl Surf Sci 475:781–784. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2019.01.032
Yu Z, Hu C, Guan L, Zhang W, Gu J (2020) Green synthesis of cellulose nanofibrils decorated with Ag nanoparticles and their application in colorimetric detection of L-cysteine. ACS Sustain Chem Eng 8(33):12713–12721. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c04842
Yun L, Cheng X (2023) Synthesis of fluorescent probes based on cellulose for Fe2+ recognition. Cellulose 30:933–951. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-022-04930-x
Zhai S, Chen H, Zhang Y, Li P, Wu W (2022) Nanocellulose: a promising nanomaterial for fabricating fluorescent composites. Cellulose 29:7011–7035. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-022-04700-9
Zhang W, Li P, Geng Q, Duan Y, Guo M, Cao Y (2014) Simultaneous determination of glutathione, cysteine, homocysteine, and cysteinylglycine in biological fluids by ion-pairing high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with precolumn derivatization. J Agric Food Chem 62:5845–5852. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf5014007
Zhang Y, Jiang J, Li M, Gao P, Zhou Y, Zhang G, Shuang S, Dong C (2016) Colorimetric sensor for cysteine in human urine based on novel gold nanoparticles. Talanta 161:520–527. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2016.09.009
Funding
This research was financially supported by the Office of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, the Center of Excellence on Petrochemical and Materials Technology (PETROMAT), and the Environment Analysis Research Unit (EARU), Department of Chemistry, Chulalongkorn University.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Theeradit Phothitontimongkol: conceptualization, methodology, investigation, formal analysis, and writing-original draft. Fuangfa Unob: supervision, conceptualization, writing, reviewing, and editing.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethics approval and consent to participate
All procedures performed in studies involving human participants complied with ethical standards of the office of the research ethics review committee for research involving human subjects, Chulalongkorn University.
Consent for publication
Not under the consideration of publication elsewhere.
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Supplementary Information
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Phothitontimongkol, T., Unob, F. Silver-doped microcrystalline cellulose as a material for simple detection of urinary cysteine using a smartphone. Cellulose (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-024-05929-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-024-05929-2