Quantitative SERS Detection of Uric Acid via Formation of Precise Plasmonic Nanojunctions within Aggregates of Gold Nanoparticles and Cucurbit[n]uril

J Vis Exp. 2020 Oct 3:(164). doi: 10.3791/61682.

Abstract

This work describes a rapid and highly sensitive method for the quantitative detection of an important biomarker, uric acid (UA), via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with a low detection limit of ~0.2 μM for multiple characteristic peaks in the fingerprint region, using a modular spectrometer. This biosensing scheme is mediated by the host-guest complexation between a macrocycle, cucurbit[7]uril (CB7), and UA, and the subsequent formation of precise plasmonic nanojunctions within the self-assembled Au NP: CB7 nanoaggregates. A facile Au NP synthesis of desirable sizes for SERS substrates has also been performed based on the classical citrate-reduction approach with an option to be facilitated using a lab-built automated synthesizer. This protocol can be readily extended to multiplexed detection of biomarkers in body fluids for clinical applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Bridged-Ring Compounds / chemistry*
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Imidazoles / chemistry*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman / methods*
  • Uric Acid / chemistry*

Substances

  • Bridged-Ring Compounds
  • Imidazoles
  • cucurbit(8)uril
  • Uric Acid
  • Gold