Development of a fast and simple test system for the semiquantitative protein detection in cerebrospinal liquids based on gold nanoparticles

• Published in: Talanta (Oxford) 2016-01, Vol.146, p.49-54
• Main Authors: Göbel, Gero, Lange, Robert, Hollidt, Jörg-Michael, Lisdat, Fred
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins - analysis; Clinical Chemistry Tests - methods; Gold - chemistry; Gold nanoparticles; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Liquor cerebrospinalis; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Particle Size; Point-of-care; Protein detection; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0039-9140; 1873-3573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2015.08.016

The fast and simple detection of increased protein concentrations in cerebrospinal liquids is preferable in the emergency medicine and it can help to avoid unnecessary laboratory work by an early classification of neurological diseases. Here a test system is developed which is based on the electrostatic interaction between negatively charged gold nanoparticles and proteins at pH values around 5. The test system can be adjusted in such a way that protein/nanoparticles aggregates are formed leading to a red-shift in the absorption spectrum of the nanoparticles suspension. At concentrations above 500mg/l the color of the suspension changes from red via violet toward blue in a rather small concentration range from 500 to 1000mg/l. Furthermore the influence of various parameters such as gold nanoparticle concentration, pH value and varying ion concentration in the sample on the test system is examined. Finally cerebrospinal liquids of a larger number of patients have been analyzed. [Display omitted] •Fast semiquantative protein test for point-of-care diagnostics.•Colored visualization of raised protein amounts in punctates.•Sensitivity better than Bradford assay.