A novel and sensitive colorimetric detection of PABA by asymmetrically functionalized TA-AuNPs-PEG-FITC based on oriented aggregation

A colorimetric assay based on the oriented TA-AuNPs-PEG-FITC for rapid and sensitive PABA detection was proposed. Initially, the negatively charged TA modified on the surface of AuNPs enabled rapid binding to PABA due to the electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bond, resulting in a visible color change. However, particles were aggregated in a non-oriented way, leading to an unstable testing system which failed to realize the accurate quantification. Thus, the asymmetrically functionalized TA-AuNPs-PEG-FITC were prepared, in which the stabilizer agent of HS-PEG-FITC was attached to the specific sites on the surface of TA-AuNPs. Such a way of modification resulted in an oriented aggregation manner, the addition of PABA induced the formation of oligomers. Moreover, the introduction of FITC group acted as fluorescent marker, providing a simple, fast and quantitative method for characterization of PEG chain. The molar ratio between TA-AuNPs and modified PEG-FITC was further determined. A linear regression was established in a wide range from 10 μM to 1 mM with the LOD of 6.9 μM. Finally, the sensor was successfully applied in the health food. This was the first example in which TA-AuNPs-PEG-FITC were fabricated for colorimetric detection of PABA, and an indirect method based on fluorescence marker was well used to quantify the content of PEG chain.