Polydiacetylene (PDA) liposome-based colorimetric sensor for the detection of ATP in aqueous medium

PCDA and DMPC (10,12-Pentacosadiynoic acid and 1,2-Dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine)based Co-assembled polydiacetylene (PDA) based liposome as a signaling unit comprised with tripeptide-based Zn (II) complex receptor unit have been prepared. This newly designed sensing probe able to detect ATP in aqueous solution with visually detectable colour change. Blue PDA liposome with polymeric backbone was obtained upon UV irradiation. After metallo- tripeptide conjugation the remaining active sites are blocked by BSA protein molecule. Addition of ATP into PDA liposome solution induces a colour change from blue to violet observable by the naked eye. Other common anions such as Cl-, Br-, NO3–, H2PO4-, F-, CH3COO-and SO42-, failed to induce any noticeable spectral as well as colour changes. The Zn (II)–metallo tripeptide are used for the facile detection of ATP in neutral aqueous solutions opens up the possibilities for the development of more complex molecular receptors with functionalized polymeric backbone with increased affinity and specificity.