A Highly Selective Colorimetric Detection of Hg(II) via Enzymatic Dephosphorylation Reaction

Abstract

Here, we report colorimetric detection of Hg(II) via enzymatic dephosphorylation reaction of Fmoc-O-phospho-L-tyrosine and cytidine 5′-monophosphate. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are synthesized via enzymatic dephosphorylation reaction at room temperature which is used to detect Hg(II). Fmoc-O-phospho-l-tyrosine and cytidine 5′-monophosphate are used to sense an enzyme alkaline phosphatase. Enzymatic dephosphorylated product provides both reducing and stabilizing agent to synthesize AuNPs. Enzymatic synthesis of AuNps is highly selective towards biomolecules and AuNPs are readily detected colorimetrically and UV-Vis analysis. In situ synthesized AuNPs are used to detect toxic Hg2+ ions in aqueous media. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals AuNPs which were prepared using enzymatic dephosphorylation reaction of Fmoc-Tyrosine phosphate. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim