Fabrication of the Optical Fiber GABA Sensor Based on the NADP(+)-Functionalized Quantum Dots

Abstract

A novel quantum dots (QDs)-based optical fiber biosensor has been developed to detect gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) directly, via QD fluorescence quenching and recovery. QDs were immobilized on the surface of an optical fiber through the EDC/Sulfo-NHS coupling reaction. The QDs were functionalized by 3-aminophenyl boronic acid and then by NADP(+). The fluorescence of the NADP(+)-functionalized QDs was quenched by electron transfer from QDs to NADP(+). However, by the metabolic conversion of GABA to succinic acid by GABase, NADP(+) was reduced to NADPH, which hindered the electron transfer. As a result, the fluorescence of the QDs could recover. The recovery rate of the fluorescence intensity of QDs depended on the concentration of GABA. This shows the possibility of detection of low concentrations of GABA via measurement of the fluorescence intensity.