Remarkably selective biocompatible turn-on fluorescent probe for detection of Fe in human blood samples and cells.

The robust nature of a biocompatible fluorescent probe is demonstrated, by its detection of Fe even after repeated rounds of quenching (reversibility) by acetate in real human blood samples and cells . Significantly trace levels of Fe ions up to 8.2 nM could be detected, remaining unaffected by the existence of various other metal ions. The obtained results are validated by AAS and ICP-OES methods. A portable test strip is also fabricated for quick on field detection of Fe. As iron is a ubiquitous metal in cells and plays a prominent role in biological processes, the use of this probe to image Fe in cells is a substantial development towards biosensing. Cytotoxicity studies also proved the nontoxic nature of this probe.