Use of mercaptophenylboronic acid functionalized gold nanoparticles in a sensitive and selective dynamic light scattering assay for glucose detection in serum

A highly sensitive dynamic light scattering (DLS) assay for glucose detection without interference from ascorbic acid was demonstrated based on mercaptophenylboronic acid functionalized gold nanoparticles (MPBA–AuNPs). The stable, water-solubility MPBA–AuNPs were synthesized using facile and mild method. In the presence of glucose, specific binding between glucose and boronic acids resulted in the aggregation of MPBA–AuNPs. Thus, glucose could be detected by monitoring the average particle size change of the assay solution using DLS analysis. The detection limit was estimated to be around 10 nM. This assay also showed good selectivity, and glucose could be detected without interference even if 1 mM ascorbic acid was present. Furthermore, glucose in human serum was successfully detected here. Therefore, this sensitive and selective approach has the potential to become a new key for glucose detection.