A dual-mode sensing system based on carbon quantum dots and Fe nanozymes for the detection of α-glucosidase and its inhibitors

In this research, a sensitive fluorometric and colorimetric dual-mode sensing platform based on nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (NCDs) and magnetic Fe nanoparticles with peroxidase-like activity (Fe nanozymes, Fe NZs) was established, and was further applied for the detection of α-glucosidase (α-glu) and its inhibitors. The ⋅OH that produced by H2O2 catalyzed by Fe NZs can oxidize the colorless diammonium 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) to green oxABTS, and a noticeable absorption peak at 417 nm appeared. Simultaneously, oxABTS can quench the fluorescence of NCDs at 402 nm via fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). 2-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AAG) can be decomposed by α-glu to glucose and ascorbic acid (AA), AA can prevent the oxidation of ABTS, resulting in the absorption at 417 nm decreased. Moreover, the quenching effect of oxABTS on NCDs is weakened, and the fluorescence at 402 nm is restored. Therefore, based on the change of absorption at 417 nm and fluorescence at 402 nm, the fluorometric and colorimetric dual-mode sensing method can be used for the determination of acarbose and voglibose that are the inhibitors of α-glu.