Multicolor and photothermal dual-mode assay of alkaline phosphatase based on the UV light-assisted etching of gold nanorods.

A multicolor and photothermal dual-mode assay for sensitive alkaline phosphatase (ALP) determination was realized based on the 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB)-induced etching of gold nanorods (AuNRs). TMB was oxidized under ultraviolet light irradiation to form TMB. In the presence of ALP, ascorbic acid phosphate (AAP) is converted to ascorbic acid, which can then reduce the levels of TMB, resulting in lower concentrations of TMB. The remaining TMB was transformed into TMB after the addition of HCl solution. AuNRs were etched by TMB to produce a multicolor and photothermal change. Based on the degree of AuNRs etching, this highly sensitive dual-mode assay provided a linear range of 1.0-8.0 mU/mL, with detection limits of 0.34 mU/mL for the multicolor assay and 0.11 mU/mL for the photothermal assay. This method was successfully applied to the determination of ALP in serum samples.