# Efficient Turn-On Fluorescent Sensor Based on Fluorescent Resonance Energy Transfer between 1,3,6,8-Tetra(4-pyridyl)pyrene and Gold Nanoparticles for Glutathione Detection

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new fluorescent sensor that detects glutathione in food by using energy transfer between a chemical compound and gold nanoparticles.

## Contribution

The novel sensor uses FRET between TTPY and AuNPs for efficient and selective glutathione detection in food samples.

## Key findings

- The sensor has a low detection limit of 54 nM for glutathione.
- The method successfully detected glutathione in real food samples.
- TTPY exhibits strong fluorescence properties with a 496 nm emission wavelength.

## Abstract

A fluorescent probe based on fluorescent
resonance energy transfer
(FRET) between the organic fluorophore 1,3,6,8-tetra­(4-pyridyl) pyrene
(TTPY) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was designed for detecting glutathione
(GSH) in foods. TTPY, synthesized via a Suzuki–Miyaura coupling
reaction, exhibited excellent fluorescence properties with a maximum
emission wavelength of 496 nm. Acting as an energy donor, TTPY transfers
energy to AuNPs via FRET, resulting in fluorescence quenching of TTPY.
In the presence of GSH, TTPY was displaced from the AuNP surface,
restoring the fluorescence of the TTPY chromophore. The developed
sensor demonstrated excellent water solubility and selectivity and
a low detection limit (54 nM). Moreover, the proposed method was successfully
applied for the determination of GSH in food samples, demonstrating
its potential for food antioxidant analysis.