A methionine biomolecule-modified chromenylium-cyanine fluorescent probe for the analysis of Hg²⁺ in the environment and living cells

Yusuf Alcay, Emre Ozdemir, Mustafa Semih Yildirim, Utku Ertugral, Ozgur Yavuz, Hulya Aribuga, Yilmaz Ozkilic, Nurcan Şenyurt Tuzun, Ayse Buse Ozdabak Sert, Fatma Nese Kok, Ismail Yilmaz

Talanta, 259, 2023, 124471

A new chromenylium-cyanine platform was designed and synthesized for ultra-selective detection of Hg²⁺ ions by Prof. Dr. Ismail Yilmaz and his research group. The study for development of the probe for the detection of Hg²⁺ in environmental and biological samples was published in Talanta in 2023 and and this article became the cover page of Talanta.The probe called CSME was designed by modifying a chromenylium-cyanine fluorophore with a methionine biomolecule, which can selectively bind to Hg²⁺ ions. Since mercury is a serious threat to both human health and the environment, it is crucial to monitor the levels of mercury by a reliable, sensitive and fast method. The probe was shown to be highly selective and sensitive to Hg²⁺ ions, with a detection limit of 1.26 nM. CSME has a wide working range, low detection limit, and quick response time and also it is the first example of the chromenylium cyanine dye that is decorated by the methionine biomaterial, displaying turn-on responses in the NIR region. The probe was also effective in colorimetric analysis of Hg²⁺ in real samples and visualizing Hg²⁺ levels in living cells. This study provides a new approach for the design and synthesis of probes especially in NIR region for the detection of Hg²⁺ in environmental and biological samples.