Luminescent quantum dots (QDs)-semiconductor nanocrystals are a promising alternative to organic dyes for fluorescence-based applications. We have developed procedures to use CdS to encapsulate CdTe and synthesize a new kind of functionalized CdTe/CdS QDs for the quantitative and selective determination of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Maximum fluorescence intensity was produced at pH 6.83, with excitation and emission wavelengths at 336 and 524 nm, respectively. Under optimal conditions, the straight line equation: DeltaF=6.84+62.29C (10(-6) mol dm(-3)) was found between the relative fluorescence intensity and the concentration of BSA in the range of 0-1.2 x 10(-6) mol dm(-3), and the limit of detection was 5.4 x 10(-8) mol dm(-3). Based on this approach, a novel quantitative method for the determination of BSA is presented in this paper.