Visual fluorescence detection of H2O2 and glucose based on “molecular beacon”-hosted Hoechst dyes

In this work, a label-free molecular beacon (MB)-like biosensor is designed for the determination of H2O2 and glucose based on the fluorescence regulation of Hoechst dyes hosted by the designed AT-rich single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), in which Hg2+ and cysteine (Cys) act as activators. The designed AT-rich ssDNA (ATprobe) can be directed to form a hairpin with an Hg2+-induced T–Hg2+–T complex, which provides a medium for enhancing the fluorescence of Hoechst dyes significantly. On the other hand, Cys can effectively grab Hg2+ from the T–Hg2+–T complex by thiol–Hg2+ interactions, destructing the hairpin and then switching the Hoechst dyes to the fluorescence “off” state. Combined with these properties, we have demonstrated its application for label-free fluorescence “turn on” detection of H2O2. The sensing mechanism is based on the specific reaction between H2O2 and Cys catalyzed by I−, the resulting disulfide reverses the Cys-mediated fluorescence decrease of the MB-hosted Hoechst dyes. The approach achieves a low detection limit of 0.1 μM for H2O2. Moreover, this method is further applied to the noninvasive detection of glucose in artificial saliva and urine samples, combining with glucose oxidase (GOx) for the oxidation of glucose and formation of H2O2. Compared to traditional methods, the proposed design is cost-effective, simple to prepare and manipulate without fluorescence labeling or chemical modification.