Colorimetric Detection of Oxytocin in Bottle Gourd Using Cysteamine Functionalized Gold Nanoparticle (Cys-AuNPs)

A colorimetric method was devised for visual detection of oxytocin in bottle gourd. For this purpose, cysteamine-modified gold nanoparticles were synthesized using conventional Turkevich method. The addition of cysteamine enhanced the sensitivity of the assay. The developed colorimetric sensor was able to detect oxytocin with help of color change at pH of 4.5, and the reaction was completed within less than 15 min of sample addition. The method demonstrated good correlation (R-2 = 0.96) between varying oxytocin concentration and difference in absorption values. The hydrogen bonding between cysteamine and oxytocin induced color change of solution from red to blue. The method also showed good reliability in terms of selectivity, accuracy (88.96-91.5%), and precision (RSD> 15%).Therefore, the method was demonstrated to be highly suitable for screening of oxytocin from bottle gourd.

Automated summary

A colorimetric method was developed for visual detection of oxytocin in bottle gourd. The method showed high sensitivity and a quick reaction time, allowing for accurate screening of oxytocin.