A new method of biomolecular recognition of avidin by light scattering of ZnS:Mn nano-particles

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to develop a new method for biomolecular recognition based on light scattering of ZnS:Mn nano-particle functionalised with biotin.Design methodology approach - ZnS:Mn nano-particles was successfully synthesised from quaternary water-in-oil micro-emulsion system. The addition of biotin and the subsequent specific binding events alter the dielectric environment of the nano-particle, resulting in a spectral shift of the particle plasmon resonance. Cyclohexane was used as oil, Triten X-100 as surfactant, n-hexanol as a co-surfactant and mercaptoethanol for the best linking of biological part to nano-particle. Measurement of the content of avidin was achieved by detecting the Department of Biomedical Engineering change in the excited emission. For qualitative and quantitative analyses of this product, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and spectrograph techniques were used.Findings - It was observed that with reducing particle size, emission shifted to the lower wave lengths. In addition, with conjugation between avidin and biotin by mercaptoethanol in biologic media, spectral emission decreased.Practical implications - The method developed could be utilised for synthesis of a variety of ZnS:Mn nano-particles for a wide range of diagnostic applications.Originality value - The method for biomolecular recognition based on light scattering of ZnS:Mn nano-particle functionalised with biotin developed was novel.