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Magnetofluorescent nanocomposites and quantum dots used for optimal application in magnetic fluorescence-linked immunoassay

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Abstract

Magnetofluorescent nanocomposites with optimal magnetic and fluorescent properties were prepared and characterized by combining magnetic nanoparticles (iron oxide@polymethyl methacrylate) with fluorescent nanoparticles (rhodamine 6G@mSiO2). Experimental parameters were optimized to produce nanocomposites with high magnetic susceptibility and fluorescence intensity. The detection of a model biomarker (alpha-fetoprotein) was used to demonstrate the feasibility of applying the magnetofluorescent nanocomposites combined with quantum dots and using magnetic fluorescence-linked immunoassay. The magnetofluorescent nanocomposites enable efficient mixing, fast re-concentration, and nanoparticle quantization for optimal reactions. Biofunctional quantum dots were used to confirm the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) content in sandwich immunoassay after mixing and washing. The analysis time was only one third that required in ELISA. The detection limit was 0.2 pg mL−1, and the linear range was 0.68 pg mL−1–6.8 ng mL−1. This detection limit is lower, and the linear range is wider than those of ELISA and other methods. The measurements made using the proposed method differed by less than 13% from those obtained using ELISA for four AFP concentrations (0.03, 0.15, 0.75, and 3.75 ng mL−1). The proposed method has a considerable potential for biomarker detection in various analytical and biomedical applications.

Magnetofluorescent nanocomposites combined with fluorescent quantum dots were used in magnetic fluorescence-linked immunoassay.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Mr. S. S. Chuang, Mr. Lokesh Bettad, and Ms. Y. S. Lu for technical assistance.

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology in Taiwan (Grant MOST-104-2119-M-260-003).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medical Applied Chemistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, 402, Taiwan

    H. Y. Tsai

  2. Department of Medical Education, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 402, Taiwan

    H. Y. Tsai

  3. Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, 1 University Road, Puli, Nantou, 545, Taiwan

    S. Y. Li & C. Bor Fuh

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  1. H. Y. Tsai
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  2. S. Y. Li
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  3. C. Bor Fuh
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Correspondence to C. Bor Fuh.

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Tsai, H.Y., Li, S.Y. & Fuh, C.B. Magnetofluorescent nanocomposites and quantum dots used for optimal application in magnetic fluorescence-linked immunoassay. Anal Bioanal Chem 410, 1923–1929 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-0856-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-0856-6

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