Introduction

Magnesium (Mg2+) is the second most common intracellular cation after potassium. Mg2+ acts as a cofactor for more than 300 enzymes, and also play an important role in controlling ion transport, structural stabilization of the proteins, enzymes, and nucleic acids1. Mg2+ ion remains chelated in chlorophyll via carboxyl groups of the photosynthetic apparatus, thus play a central role in chlorophyll structure and functions2. Magnesium deficiency can result in a variety of disorders including, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, and neurological disorders3. Water hardness caused by Ca2+ and Mg2+ is a great concern in both domestic and industrial wastewater management since it involves in cerebrovascular disease and cardiovascular risk4. The measurement of Mg2+ have been accomplished using traditional methods, such as atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). However, involving expensive instrumentation and complex detection procedures, the previously reported methods demands upgradations5, 6.

Several other methods have been reported to detect Mg2+ includes null point titration7, magnesium-sensitive electrodes8, divalent cation ionophores9, and 31P NMR spectroscopy10. However, these fluorophore-based approaches frequently encounter a selectivity problem with both Mg2+ and Ca2+11, 12. Thus, there is wide scope for developing a selective detection, concentration determination, and intracellular imaging. Furthermore, interference from the Ca2+ is the most common hindrance in developing selective colorimetric sensor in diagnostic and therapeutic applications13. Thus, developing a potential colorimetric method based on rationally designed surface chemistry is desirable to trigger selective dispersion/aggregation states of the AuNPs5, 14. For strong chelating interactions with Mg2+, the surface chemistry of the AuNPs was established by using functional ligands of the tryptophan.

This study demonstrates a facile, efficient, and sensitive colorimetric platform for the rapid monitoring of Mg2+. The binding of Mg2+ to the tryptophan ligands induces an apparent increase in absorbance at 620 nm. Here, tryptophan functioned AuNPs acts as an excellent chelating agent for Mg2+ via formation of the coordinated complex as illustrated in Fig. 1. Tryptophan amino acid was successfully used to functionalize the surface chemistry of the AuNPs and to cause the aggregation in the presence of Mg2+. This method seems advantageous to improve sensing of Mg2+ in terms of sensitivity and selectivity. Thus, we greatly anticipate finding wide applications in understanding physiological, pathological, and intracellular chemical events associated with Mg2+.

Figure 1
figure 1

Proposed coordination mechanism of Mg2+ with tryptophan ligands.

Experimental

Chemicals and reagents

Tryptophan and HAuCl4 were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Chemicals. NaOH and NaCl were purchased from Dae Jung Chemicals Korea. MEM culture media was obtained from the Sigma Aldrich chemicals and used as an artificial serum. Standard solution of the metal ions includes, Mg2+, Hg3+, Co3+, As+, Li+, Cr3+, Ca2+, K+, and Mn3+ were obtained from the Kanto Chemical Company Ltd. Zn3+, Cd2+, and Pb3+ were obtained from the Nacalai Tesque Inc Kyoto, Japan. Stock solutions of 10 µM and 5 µM were prepared by the dilution of the standard stock solution (10.6 mM).

Synthesis and characterization of the gold nanoparticles

A typical growth solution of the AuNPs was prepared as follows: 3-mL of the aqueous solutions tryptophan (6.25 mM) was added in different glass bottles containing diluted NaOH (5 mM). This solution was brought to 95 °C and the synthesis of the AuNPs was initiated by adding 1.0 mL of 20 mM HAuCl4. The AuNPs synthesis reaction was allowed to run for 48 hours at 95 °C. Centrifugation of the AuNPs solution was carried out at 10,000 rpm for 15 min to remove unbound tryptophan molecules and NaOH used in the synthesis. UV-Vis spectrophotometer (Optizen-2120) was used to record UV-Vis spectrum of the AuNPs in the wavelength range from 400 to 900 nm, with a resolution of 5 nm. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images of the AuNPs were obtained from a Hitachi HF-3300. TEM samples were prepared by adding 100 μL of the AuNPs solution onto the 200-mesh Formvar-coated copper grid. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum of the of the AuNPs thin film was measured by using Rigaku Ultima-IV System by operating at voltage 40 kV and current of 30 mA using Cu K radiation. FT-IR spectra of the centrifuged AuNPs was collected by using an infrared spectrometer (Thermo Electron Nicolet-6700).

Determination of the standard solution of Mg2+

The measurement of the AuNPs sensitivity toward Mg2+ was carried out as follows: 300 μL of AuNPs stocking solution was added in water (total volume 1-mL) aqueous solution. The absorbance spectra of the AuNPs suspensions having different concentrations of Mg2+ (0.0, 0.10, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, and 0.45 µmol L−1) were measured respectively after 20 min of the incubation. Subsequently, concentration vs absorbance intensity at 620 nm was plotted to test the linear fit.

Detection range of Mg2+

This report investigates the possibility of tuning the sensitivity of the AuNPs toward Mg2+ by using different concertations of the diluted NaOH (0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mM). Typically, 300 μL of AuNPs was treated with 0.05 mM NaOH and total volume (1-mL) was adjusted by distilled water. The absorbance spectra of the AuNPs suspensions having different concentrations of Mg2+ (0.40, 0.50, 0.60, 0.70, 0.80, 0.90, and 1.0 µmol L−1) were measured after 20 min of the incubation. The same protocol was followed for quantification of Mg2+ in the range (0.80, 0.90, 0.1.0, 0.1.1, 1.2, 1.4, and 1.6 µmol L−1) at 0.1 mM NaOH. Furthermore, quantification of Mg2+ in a broad concentration range (1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.8, and 2.0 µmol L−1) was established at 0.2 mM NaOH.

Real-time UV-Vis response of AuNPs toward Mg2+

UV-Vis spectral response of the AuNPs was detected at different time intervals after reaction with Mg2+. Typically, 300 μL of the AuNPs solution was suspended in water (total reaction volume was 1-mL). The UV-Vis spectrum of the AuNPs was acquired before exposure to Mg2+. Subsequently, AuNPs suspensions were treated with three different concertations of Mg2+ (0.45, 0.50, and 0.55 µmol L−1). The red-shift of the longitudinal and SPR band were observed for a long period of the time (20 to 360 min).

Effect of pH and ionic strength

The effect of pH values on the AuNPs was studied as follows: 400 μL of the AuNPs stocking solution was suspended in water (total volume 1-mL) at different concertations of NaOH and HCl (0.0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 mM). These suspensions were placed inside the UV-Vis spectrophotometer for 10 min and the absorbance was measured at 530 nm. Then, 50 µL of 10 µmol L−1 stock Mg2+ solution was added to the respective NaOH-AuNPs suspensions. These suspensions were again placed inside the UV-Vis spectrophotometer for another 10 min and the absorbance was measured at 530 nm. The same protocol was followed to test the effect of NaCl (0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, and 10 mM), and CaCl2 (0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2 and 1.6 mM) in identical conditions.

Selectivity of the AuNPs

In addition, the selectivity of the AuNPs toward Mg2+ over other metal ions was investigated. The selectivity assay was conducted in water for Mg2+, Hg3+, Co3+, As+, Li+, Cr3+, Ca2+, K+, Mn3+, Zn3+, Cd2+, and Pb3+ at 200 ppb. The absorbance spectra of the AuNPs suspension were measured respective samples. These suspensions were placed inside the UV-Vis spectrophotometer for 20 min and the absorbance spectra of the suspensions were measured.

Anti-interferential capability of the AuNPs

After testing the selectivity of the AuNPs toward Mg2+. At first, a mixture of the metal ions (Hg3+, Co3+, As+, Li+, Cr3+, Ca2+, K+, Mn3+, Zn3+, Cd2+, and Pb3+) was mixed with 600 µL of the AuNPs solution. Then the UV-Vis spectrum of the AuNPs was acquired in the presence of these metal ions. The UV-Vis spectrum was measured after adding 50 µL of 10 µmol L−1 Mg2+ to demonstrate the selectivity of the AuNPs.

Determination of Mg2+ in urine and serum samples

UV-Vis spectral response of the AuNPs was collected after reacting urine and artificial serum samples containing Mg2+ ions. Typically, 300 μL of the AuNPs solution was treated with 0.5 mL urine and artificial serum samples. Finally, total volume about 1-mL was adjusted by adding distilled water. The UV-Vis spectrum of the AuNPs suspensions was acquired after 20 min of the incubation. Subsequently, concentration vs absorbance intensity at 620 nm was plotted. Unknown samples were monitored using standard graph prepared for urine and serum samples.

Results and Discussion

Characterization of the gold nanoparticles

The tryptophan capped AuNPs were used for characterization and application as a sensitive probe for Mg2+. The UV-Vis spectrum, size, shape, and structure of the AuNPs were examined by different techniques. Figure 2A shows a characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band of the as-prepared AuNPs located at 520 nm. The different diffraction peaks (111), (200), (220), and (311) was obtained by using JCPDS card: 004–0784 and it was confirmed that AuNPs were having cubic structure Fig. 2B. The mean crystallite size was calculated by using Scherrer equation D = Kλ/(β cos θ) and it was found about 16 nm. The size determined by XRD spectrum was in good agreement with TEM results. The lattice constant about 4.060 Ǻ was in agreement with the standard value (4.078 Ǻ) and similar value was reported for AuNPs15. The FT-IR spectrum of the centrifuged AuNPs was shown in Fig. 2C. The characteristic peak observed at 1640 cm−1 corresponds to the stretching vibrations of the C = O bond of the amide Fig. 2C. The FTIR spectra also showed a typical broad transmittance band at 3370 cm−1 from the OH stretching vibrations. The adsorptive interaction of the amino acid was reported with silica particles16. The AuNPs having spherical shape and narrow size-distribution with average size about 15 nm was observed by TEM. It can be seen that AuNPs were dispersed with few aggregates formed from the two or three nanoparticles in the Fig. 2D.

Figure 2
figure 2

Characterization of the tryptophan capped AuNPs. (A) UV-Vis spectrum of the AuNPs, (B) XRD spectrum of the AuNPs, (C) FTIR spectrum of the AuNPs, (D), TEM imaging of the AuNPs.

Determination of the standard solution of Mg2+

Sensing experiments were carried out by using centrifuged AuNPs having SPR band at 530 nm. As shown in Fig. 3A, the absorbance intensity of the AuNPs was increased gradually at 620 nm with the increasing concentration of Mg2+ (0.0, 0.10, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, and 0.45 µmol L−1). It was easy to demonstrate the assay for visual detection of Mg2+ based on the color change from purple to dark blue as shown in the inset of the Fig. 3A. A red-shift response of the longitudinal band emerged for the AuNPs exposed to Mg2+ from 0.35 to 0.45 µmol L−1 was prominent and stable at 620 nm. The red-shift of the longitudinal band and the characteristic spectral response attributes to the coupled plasmon absorbance of the AuNPs in close proximity. Furthermore, there was a linear relation between the relative absorbance intensity at 620 nm and the concentration of Mg2+ varying from 0.1 to 0.45 μmol L−1 with a detection limit of 0.2 µmol L−1 (Fig. 3B). It is significant to note that, the tryptophan functionalized AuNPs are appropriate to differentiate small variation in the Mg2+ concentration. The spectral changes resulted in a narrow concentration range of Mg2+, which meant that this method is reliable and sensitive enough to monitor Mg2+ content in water and diagnostic samples as compared with different methods summarized in Table 1. The different concentrations range of the Mg2+ (0, 1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 μM) was examined using Cys- DTT-AuNPs suspensions at room temperature5.

Figure 3
figure 3

(A) Absorbance spectra of the AuNPs in the presence of increasing amounts of Mg2+ at ambient temperature; (B) The curve of absorbance intensity at 620 nm vs. Mg2+.

Table 1 Detection of Mg2+ contents in a reasonable range according to the literature values reported using different methods.

Extending concentration range

This sensing system has been explored to demonstrate the possibilities of testing a wide range and quantitative detection of Mg2+. The intensity of the absorbance was highly responsive toward Mg2+. Tryptophan capped AuNPs showed enhanced stability in diluted NaOH concentrations (0.05 to 0.2 mM). Thus, the absorbance enhancement was adjusted at different concentrations of NaOH (0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mM). The AuNPs were made suitable for detecting and quantification of Mg2+ due to their pH sensitivity. A linear response for Mg2+ ions from 0.4 to 1.0 µmol L−1 was established by adding of 0.05 mM NaOH to the detection system (Fig. 4A). A linear response of the AuNPs toward Mg2+ in the range from 0.8 to 1.6 µmol L−1 at 0.1 mM NaOH (Fig. 4B). In addition, this assay abled probing a wide range of the Mg2+ (1.2 to 2.0 µmol L−1) at 0.2 mM NaOH (Fig. 4C), which may be attributed to the reducing intermolecular interactions of the Mg2+ coordination by deprotonation of the tryptophan ligands. Thus, the proposed method has potential in extending the detection range of Mg2+ from 0.1 to 2.0 µmol L−1 by adding diluted NaOH in the detection system. Thus, the linear responses of the AuNPs toward Mg2+ can be tuned using diluted NaOH, indicating the possibility to detect Mg2+ in a wide range of the concentrations. These results also suggest that the coordination of tryptophan with Mg2+ is also possible via the NH2 group. Thus, we propose tuning of the analytical probe is possible to widen the detection range by adding diluted NaOH in the detection system.

Figure 4
figure 4

(A) The curve of the AuNPs absorbance intensity at 620 nm vs. Mg2+ in the range of 0.4 to 1.0 µmol L−1 at 0.05 mM NaOH, (B) The curve of the AuNPs absorbance intensity at 620 nm vs. Mg2+ in the range of 0.8 to 1.6 µmol L−1 at 0.1 mM NaOH, (C) The curve of the AuNPs absorbance intensity at 620 nm in the presence of increasing amounts of Mg2+ in the range of 1.2 to 2.0 µmol L−1 at 0.2 mM NaOH.

Temporal response of the AuNPs toward Mg2+

Most of the colorimetric reports were based on the change in color and spectral response after addition of the target analyte. Real-time UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy was used to investigate the stability of the AuNP aggregates after coordination with Mg2+ and tryptophan ligands. The spectral response of the AuNPs was investigated at three different concentrations of Mg2+ (0.45, 0.5, and 0.55 µmol L−1) within the time frame of 20 to 360 min (Fig. 5). The red-shift of the longitudinal band was not affected after the reaction with Mg2+ (0.45 µmol L−1) even after incubation for 360 min indicates excellent stability of the AuNP aggregates (Fig. 5A). The fractal growth of the AuNP aggregates was detected by using a gradual decrease in the absorbance after reaction with Mg2+ (0.50 µmol L−1) (Fig. 5B). The absorbance of AuNPs was decreased significantly with Mg2+ at 0.55 µmol L−1, suggests the aggregative behavior of the AuNPs as observed in Fig. 5C. Thus, the intensity of the absorbance can be used to monitor aggregation of the AuNPs induced by Mg2+. Previously, similar observations was reported for self-assembled nanostructures originated from the plasmonic coupling and aggregation mechanism of the silver nanoparticles17.

Figure 5
figure 5

(A) Time course of the spectral response of the AuNPs at 0.45 µmol L−1 Mg2+, (B) Time course of the spectral response of the AuNPs at 0.50 µmol L−1 Mg2+, (A) Time course of the spectral response of the AuNPs at 0.55 µmol L−1 Mg2+.

Effect of pH and ionic strength

The pH values of the AuNP suspensions has the tremendous impact on the detection of the target analyte. The Mg2+ sensing ability at different sensing conditions were investigated by measuring decrease in absorbance at 530 nm. The result shown in Fig. 6A suggest that AuNPs were stable within the NaOH range from 0.05 to 0.5 mM. However, its colorimetric response toward Mg2+ was decreased in the presence of diluted NaOH. The result observed with diluted HCl (0.05 to 0.5 mM) shows that the AuNPs were responsive to the acidic pH conditions. The absorbance intensity at 530 nm was significantly decreased in acidic conditions in the presence and the absence of Mg2+ ions (Fig. 6B). These results indicate that the tuning acidic conditions of the probe could be useful to enhance the sensitivity of the proposed nanosensor.

Figure 6
figure 6

(A) Absorbance intensity of the AuNPs in the absence and presence of Mg2+ at different concentrations of NaOH, (B) Absorbance intensity of the AuNPs in the absence and presence of Mg2+ at different concentrations of HCl, (C) The effect of ionic strength on absorbance intensity in the absence and presence of Mg2+ (B) Absorbance intensity of the AuNPs in the absence and presence of Mg2+ at different concentrations of Ca2+. The absorbance intensity was recorded at 530 nm at ambient temperature.

The ionic strength is also a significantly important parameter to detect target analyte18, 19. The effect of the ionic strength on the AuNPs was presented in the Fig. 6C. The absorbance intensity at 530 nm was decreased marginally in high ionic strength (6 to 10 mM), before and after the addition of Mg2+ (Fig. 6C). The addition of Mg2+ with the increasing concentration of NaCl, indicating the stability of the analytical platform at tested ionic strength.

Selectivity and anti-interferential assay

High selectivity is significantly important to establish excellent colorimetric sensor. Thus, the selectivity of the AuNPs was examined by screening its response to individual metal ions (Mg2+, Hg3+, Co3+, As+, Li+, Cr3+, Ca2+, K+, Mn3+, Zn3+, Cd2+, and Pb3+) under identical conditions. The results showed that most of the other metal ions do not cause the colorimetric response of the AuNPs. However, the Mg2+ could increase the absorbance intensity of the AuNPs at 620 nm. According to the previous reports, tryptophan ligands may coordinate with metal ions20, 21.

It was important to note that both Ca2+ and K+ do not compete with the tryptophan ligands of the AuNPs. Thus, the selectivity parameter was further investigated to ease the detection of Mg2+ in the presence of Ca2+. As we can see in the Fig. 6D, the absorbance intensity at 530 nm was not changed obviously before and after the addition of Mg2+ with the increasing concentration of Ca2+, suggesting vital selectivity of the analytical platform. In a case of Mg2+, tryptophan ligands take part in the interaction via both the carboxyl and amide groups as illustrated in the Fig. 1. The fluorescence resulted from the tryptotphan-26 was more heterogeneous and evident for Mg2+-bound complex with the troponin-I, however, Ca2+ showed no significant fluorescence22. Tridentate chelate forms, preferably after the interaction of Ca2+ with three oxygen atoms of the two carboxyl groups and the proton transfer by neighboring −COOH to −NH2 groups23. According to this, three amino acid residues are most suitable to play an important role in coordination of Ca2+ includes glutamic acid, γ-carboxyglutamate, and aspartic acid via Ca2+−carboxyl and Ca2+−carbonyl bond. Thus, the tryptophan ligands were not suitable to form a coordination complex with Ca2+ as it requires two carboxylic acid residues to bind and chelate them efficiently24. The interference from common metal ions was also investigated to expand the utility of this sensor. To demonstrate the ability to recognize Mg2+ in the presence of other competitive metal ions (Hg3+, Co3+, As+, Li+, Cr3+, Ca2+, K+, Mn3+, Zn3+, Cd2+, and Pb3+) was significantly important. Figure 7A, reveals that the mixture of the metal ions did affect the characteristic spectral response of the AuNPs toward Mg2+ and results a broad red-shift of the longitudinal band located at 660 nm. However, ability of the probe to recognize Mg2+ in the presence of other competitive metal ions could be demonstrated.

Figure 7
figure 7

(A) UV-Vis response of the AuNPs upon the addition of Mg2+ (0.530 μmol L−1) to the solution containing a mixture of the metal ions, (B) The curve of the AuNPs absorbance intensity at 620 nm vs. urine samples spiked with Mg2+ was tested in the in the range of 0.1 to 0.45 µmol L−1, (C) The curve of the AuNPs absorbance intensity at 620 nm vs. artificial serum samples spiked with Mg2+ was tested in the range of 0.1 to 0.35 µmol L−1.

Detection of Mg2+ in urine and serum samples

Renal magnesium wasting has been recognized in numerous conditions, including congenital defects, endocrine disorders (hyperaldosteronism and hyperparathyroidism), and exposure to the drugs (diuretics, cis-platinum, aminoglycoside antibiotics, and calcineurin inhibitors)25. A facile, rapid, and cost-effective methods are desired to diagnose impaired absorption in the intestines and excessive excretion of Mg2+ by the kidneys. This sensor was tested to reveal its applications in detecting renal function deterioration by measuring Mg2+ concentrations in urine and artificial serum samples. The similar linear curve was observed when the titrations were carried out in the presence of urine, suggesting that presence numerous metabolites in urine are not preventive for the detection of Mg2+ (Fig. 7B). The developed method also found appropriate for the measurement of Mg2+ content in the artificial serum (Fig. 7C). And it was found that these linear curves were suitable to determine the unknown concentration of Mg2+ from the urine and serum samples. The determined Mg2+ contents were at reasonable range in according to the literature values reported with other approaches Table 1. The observed minimum detection limit for Mg2+ in artificial serum was certainly lower than the diluted blood samples (~17 μM)26. Cerebral spinal fluid samples contain both Ca2+ and Mg2+ in mM level, thus proposed sensor is an excellent alternative for the detection of Mg2+, without the interference from the Ca2+ ions5. To our knowledge, no other small-molecular receptors were reported for Mg2+ in urine and serum samples. Selective detection of Mg2+ is appropriate to identify the significance of the Mg2+ in many physiological functions and pathological conditions27. Thus, results demonstrated reliability of the tryptophan capped AuNPs for detecting Mg2+ contents in real samples.

Conclusions

In summary, a facile detection method based on absorbance probe AuNPs has been established, which allows highly sensitive determination of Mg2+. Functional AuNPs could be prepared easily and environmental friendly by mixing HAuCl4 to the tryptophan solution. Hence, this is the first report which explores sensing based on the tryptophan capped AuNPs for the analysis of Mg2+ content in a wide concentration range of Mg2+. The color change from purple to dark blue and well-defined red-shift appears within the fraction of a minute indicates coordination complex forms rapidly. The proposed design of a colorimetric assay where AuNPs acts as an indicator–receptor coupled with tryptophan ligands. The decrease in absorbance intensity of the AuNPs was significantly dependent on the concentration of Mg2+, thus the potential opportunity to prepare stable and unstable AuNP aggregates. This probe allows the detection of Mg2+ with high sensitivity and selectivity, without the interference from the competitive metal ions. Biologically relevant ions Ca2+ and K+ do not compete with AuNPs when it bounds with Mg2+. Furthermore, the proposed probe is suitable to detect Mg2+ content in water, urine, and serum samples.