Ultrasensitive fluorescence detection of glutaraldehyde in water samples with bovine serum albumin-Au nanoclusters

Based on the cross-linking nature of BSA in the presence of glutaraldehyde (GA), the fluorescence of BSA-stabilized Au nanoclusters was effectively quenched by GA. A new method for ultrasensitive GA detection in water samples was thus developed with fluorescent BSA-stabilized Au nanoclusters. The fluorescence quenching of BSA-stabilized Au nanoclusters in the presence of GA fitted to Stern-Volmer equation. In the GA concentration range of 0.8-6 mu M, a linear relationship of F-0/F versus GA concentration was obtained with a limit of detection (LOB) of 0.2 mu M. The relative standard deviation of 5 replicate measurements of 4 mu M GA is 1.3%. This method shows good selectivity over other organics in water samples. The feasibility of the new sensor for GA in different water samples was demonstrated. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.