Enzyme-free fluorescence determination of uric acid and trace Hg(II) in serum using Si/N doped carbon dots

A new fluorescence probe method for the detection of Hg(II) in serum was established, which has the detection limit of 3.57 nM and quantification limit of 5 nM, based on the electrostatic induced agglomeration quenching and complexation between Hg(II) and silicon-nitrogen-doped carbon nanodots (Si/N-CDs). Furthermore, the fluorescence probe also showed the satisfactory results in the determination of Hg (II) in human serum. Subsequently, take advantage of the uric acid (UA) to recover the fluorescence of the Si/N-CDs-Hg(II) complex probe, another enzyme-free ways to determine UA was developed. The complex probe can selectively detect the UA content in the 0.5-30 mu M range, and its detection limit can reach 0.14 mu M, which has successfully detected the UA in total serum, and the results were no significant difference comparing with the controls. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A new fluorescence probe method for the detection of Hg(II) in serum and uric acid (UA) was established, showing satisfactory results in human serum. The probe can selectively detect UA content and successfully detect UA in total serum with no significant difference compared to controls.