Microwave Synthesis of Gold Nanoclusters with Garlic Extract Modifications for the Simple and Sensitive Detection of Lead Ions.

Novel bovine serum albumin (BSA)-gold nanoclusters with garlic extract modifications (_G-BSA-AuNCs) were prepared through microwave-assisted rapid synthesis. The modified nanoclusters were characterized and used for the simple and sensitive detection of Pb ions. Both turn-on and turn-off methods were used and compared for Pb ion detection. For Pb ions, the preparation time for the modified nanoclusters was 10 min, and the detection time for the nanoclusters was 6 min. The modified nanoclusters were stable, and their fluorescence intensities changed by less than 10% in 60 days. The detection limit and linear range for the "off-on" method of _G-BSA-AuNCs for Pb ion detection were 0.28 and 1-20 nM, respectively. The recoveries of the _G-BSA-AuNCs probe used for the detection of the Pb(II) ion in tap water ranged from 93.8% to 102.2%, with an average of 97.1%. The "off-on" method of _G-BSA-AuNCs can provide a lower detection limit, higher selectivity, and better recovery than the commonly used "turn-off" methods of _BSA-AuNCs for Pb ion detection. The proposed method is superior to other methods proposed from 2018 to 2019 because it can provide a shorter preparation time and a lower detection limit with good selectivity. The microwave-assisted novel compound, _G-BSA-AuNCs, can be rapidly synthesized in a green manner and can provide a low detection limit, good selectivity, and a simple and fast reaction for Pb ion detection.