Fluorescent Organic Nanoaggregates for Selective Recognition of d -(−)-Ribose in Biological Fluids and Oral Supplements

Abstract

Easily synthesizable, fluorescent, organic nanoaggregates have been utilized, for the first time, in the selective recognition of d-(−)-ribose at pH 5.5 in water. In the self-assembled form, the reactive sites of the monomer units can be properly organized to form an effective “recognition cleft” for ribose (limit of detection ≈23 μm), in which binding mainly occurs through a combination of hydrogen-bonding and CH⋅⋅⋅π interactions. The degree of agglomeration shows a profound influence on the extent of ribose sensing. A reduction in the optical response (≈1.8-fold) is observed when ribose is allowed to interact with nanoaggregates of smaller dimensions (a decrease in the hydrodynamic diameter from (≈212.7±10.2) to (≈44.6±3.5) nm). The protocol is also utilized for the estimation of ribose in human urine samples and oral supplements. Low-cost paper strips have also been developed for rapid, on-site detection of ribose without involving any sophisticated instruments or skilled personnel.