A BODIPY-based “turn on” near-infrared fluorescence probe for specific detection of cysteine

[Display omitted] •A “turn on” near-infrared fluorescent probe BODIPY-A has been synthesized.•The emission wavelength of the probe is 672 nm, located in the near-infrared region.•Probe has the advantages of deep tissue penetration and minimal light damage.•BODIPY-A probe for specific detection of Cys with a detection limit of 0.3 μM. This study synthesized a 4,4-difluoro-2,6-di (1-octyl, 5-esteryluridine)-8-(3,4,5-tri (ethanoxy) phenyl) fluoroboron dipyrrole (BODIPY-A) near-infrared fluorescent probe based on 4,4-difluoro-2,6-diiodio-8-(3,4,5-tri (ethanoxy) phenyl) fluoroboron dipyrrole and 1-octanyl, 5-carboxyuracil. The emission wavelength of BODIPY-A probe is 672 nm, located in the near-infrared region, and it possesses benefits such as deep tissue penetration, low background self-fluorescence, and minimal light damage. The BODIPY-A probe exhibits a good turn-on fluorescence response to Cys through nucleophilic substitution reaction with cysteine (Cys), and can eliminate interference from homocysteine (Hcy) and glutathione (GSH). The BODIPY-A probe has been applied to the detection of Cys, with a linear range and detection limit of 0–90 μM and 0.3 μM, respectively. The BODIPY-A probe was applied to analyze the serum samples, achieving an absolute recovery rate ranging from 95 %-99 % and a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.031 %-0.371 %. Research has shown that the BODIPY-A probe has the hope to be used for sensitive detection of Cys in the human body.