Easily prepared polymeric photonic crystal sensors for selective and visual detection of alkaline phosphatase

The development of rapid and visual methods for detecting alkaline phosphatase (ALP) holds significant value in both medical examinations and early warning of environmental pollution. In this paper, a polymeric photonic crystal sensor for the detection of ALP was developed using commercially available and cost-effective functional monomers. These sensors achieve the detection of ALP by utilizing the response of 4-nitrophenol (p-NP) generated through the specific catalytic decomposition of the substrate (p-nitrophenyl phosphate disodium salt, p-NPD) by ALP. The results showed that sensors had optimal response conditions including a p-NPD concentration of 100 mmol L−1, a magnesium ion activator of 1 mg•mL−1 and a water bath at 65 °C. The polymeric photonic crystals combined with the "one-step conversion" method offer a simple, convenient, recyclable solution with good selectivity and stability for visual detection of ALP. This method has the potential to enhance and advance the methodology employed in enzyme detection, thereby contributing to the refinement and progression of enzymatic analysis techniques.