Detection of Tetracycline in Water Using Glutathione-protected Fluorescent Gold Nanoclusters

Abstract

Tetracycline (Tc), a widely used antibiotic, is one of the major pollutants in water. Herein, glutathione (GSH)-protected Au nanoclusters (GSH-AuNCs) were prepared to detect Tc. The fluorescence quenching ratio of GSH-AuNCs shows an excellent linear response against tetracycline in the concentration range of 50 μg/L – 50 mg/L with the detection limit of 5.31 μg/L. For the test paper prepared by GSH-AuNCs, 1 mg/L Tc caused a significant difference that could be recognized by the naked eye. The method exhibited good selectivity and excellent recovery when applied to a tap water sample. The method has the potential for Tc detection in real samples.