A protoberberine alkaloid based ratiometric pH-responsive probe for the detection of diabetic ketoacidosis

Herein we report a ratiometric naturally occurring fluorescent pH probe, berberrubine (BBn) for the direct detection of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) conditions of patients having type I diabetes mellitus. The photophysical properties of the probe during pH titrations showed remarkable changes in absorption spectra where two absorption bands at 377 and 326 nm have disappeared followed by the emergence of an absorption maxima at 346 nm in highly acidic conditions. In addition, a fluorescence enhancement effect was observed in the alkaline pH, with a bathochromic shift of 33 nm. Moreover, the solution switches the color from light yellow to light pink with the change of pH from acidic to basic. A pKa value of 7.57 and a good linearity between pH 5.0–9.0 indicate that the probe can be used efficiently for the DKA condition, where pH variations are in the range of 6–7. The excellent water solubility, photostability, reversibility, and selectivity of BBn make it a potential pH sensing agent for acidic microenvironments. The reversible sensing of pH variations during DKA could be effective in primary detection and diagnosis which can assist in avoiding further complications of acidosis. [Display omitted] •Naturally occurring ratiometric fluorescent pH probe, berberrubine (BBn).•Detection of diabetic ketoacidosis.•The hydroxyl groups in BBn is accountable for the sensitive response to pH.•Real time application of BBn in pH test strips.