Highly sensitive fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based nanosensor for rapid detection of clenbuterol

Duc Nghia Nguyen, Trinh Tung Ngo and Quang Liem Nguyen

Abstract

In this study we investigate the fabrication of a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based nanosensor for the detection of clenbuterol. The nanosensor consists of CdTe quantum dots coated by clenbuterol recognizable agent naphthol and diazotized clenbuterol. Changes in maximal photoluminescent intensities of the nanosensor were utilized to measure clenbuterol concentrations. The maximal photoluminescent intensities of the nanosensor were found to decrease with increasing clenbuterol concentrations, following a linear correlation. We have successfully fabricated a nanosensor for detection of clenbuterol with sensitivity up to 10 pg ml⁻¹