A Facile Colorimetric Sensor for 6-Mercaptopurine Based on Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract

A facile colorimetric method was developed for detecting 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The addition of 6-MP to AgNPs led to the aggregation of AgNPs with a color change from yellow to brown. The ratio between the absorbance at 394 and 530 nm (A₃₉₄/A₅₃₀) was used for a quantitative analysis of 6-MP. A linear range of 0 – 0.5 μM was obtained with a detection limit of 10 nM. The developed method is cost-effective and simple.