Detection of Fe(III) and bio-copper in human serum based on fluorescent AuAg nanoclusters

In this study, a fluorescence assay for the successive determination of Fe3+ and Cu2+ ions based on the quenching fluorescence of composite AuAg nanoclusters (AuAg NCs) was developed. Using this binary fluorescence sensor, the Fe(III) level in a human serum sample can be directly detected without pretreatment. After the nitrification of human serum, the bio-copper level in human serum may be measured with a quick response. Human serum samples were analyzed, and the average concentration of Fe(III) and bio-copper were found to be 2.33 x 10(-5) and 2.91 x 10(-5) M, respectively. This assay was not only sensitively responsive to blood iron(III) but also to serum copper, suggesting significant potential applications for successively monitoring the Fe(III) and bio-copper levels, and their changes during the progression of a biological process.