Eco-friendly and enhanced colorimetric detection of aluminum ions using pectin-rich apple extract-based gold nanoparticles

Aluminum ions are very toxic to human health, especially in relation to neurodegenerative diseases. However, conventional methods of detecting such toxic ions suffer from the use of poisonous chemical probes and complex processes. Herein, we report an eco-friendly and enhanced colorimetric method of aluminum ion detection using green-synthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) from apple (Malus domestica) extract. The apple extract-based AuNPs (AX-AuNPs) contain abundant pectin different from citrate-based AuNPs. The pectin-rich AX-AuNPs improved the sensitivity of the colorimetric detection of aluminum ions. The detection limit was about 20 μM both in artificial and drinking water-based real samples. Interestingly, it is turned out that the AX-AuNPs were aggregated naturally after the chemical assay because of solution getting decayed. For the environmental perspective, it was great that the lump of AX-AuNP aggregates could easily be removed from the solutions before solution discard. Overall, our results indicate that AX-AuNPs offer a high-selectivity, enhanced colorimetric detection of aluminum ions in a short time (less than 1 min), based on an eco-friend synthesis and disposal manner of AuNPs.