Silver nanoplates for colorimetric determination of xanthine in human plasma and in fish meat via etching/aggregation/fusion steps

Abstract

Silver nanoplates (AgP) were prepared and used in a colorimetric method for the evaluation of Xanthine (Xan) in blood plasma and fish meat. The detection mechanism for Xan was observed to occur via etching of AgP particles/aggregation/fusion steps, resulting in a color change from blue to grey. First, the basic Xan solution is adsorbed through partial substitution of capping molecules around the AgP with Xan, and then intermolecular hydrogen bonds form between AgP and AgP. Subsequently, the titrant Xan solution further etches the AgP and finally fuses particles together. Owing to the step by step mechanism, the response range towards Xan has two linear regression ranges: 0.15–0.60 μM and 0.61–3.00 μM, respectively. The detection limit in the range of 0.15–0.60 μM is 0.011 μM (S/N = 3). AgP exhibits good selectivity for Xan over other potential interferents such as amino acids and blood proteins. AgP achieves rapid detection of Xan and can be applied to the satisfactory determination of Xan in blood plasma and fish meat. This colorimetric sensor is easy to use, cost effective, fast, selective and user friendly.