Detection of protamine and heparin using a promising metal organic frameworks based fluorescent molecular device BZA-BOD@ZIF-90

Herein, we designed a BODIPY-based probe ([email protected]) with good stability through the encapsulation of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). [email protected] can selectively detect protamine based on an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect. In the present strategy, the designed [email protected] showed excellent fluorescence response to protamine with a low detection limit of 0.07 μg/mL and the detection was not disturbed by other possible competing substances. Compared with previous methods, BZA-BOD designed by this method is simpler to obtain, and also can achieve sensitive and accurate determination of protamine. Subsequently, the nanocomposite [email protected] was successfully applied to detect protamine spiked in human serum. In addition, due to the strong binding effect of heparin on protamine, when heparin was added to the complex, the fluorescence intensity of the [email protected] weakened, thus, it can also be utilized for heparin detection. The medical application of protamine and heparin suggests that this fluorescent molecular device has prospects for certain clinical applications.