A 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid trisodium salt (HPTS) based colorimetric and green turn-on fluorescent sensor for the detection of arginine and lysine in aqueous solution

The use of 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid trisodium salt (HPTS) as a colorimetric and green turn-on fluorescent probe for the recognition of arginine and lysine in aqueous solution is described. The limit of detection (LOD) was found to be 1.941 × 10 -6 M, whereas for Lys the LOD was 3.106 × 10 -6 M, respectively. Interestingly, the probe also shows reversibility by addition of tetrabutylammonium phosphate (TBAP).