Colorimetric and fluorescence recognition of tryptophan and histidine using phthalaldehyde based probe: experimental, computational, cell imaging and fish tissue analysis

Abstract

A phthalaldehyde based colorimetric and fluorescence probe (BENPH), selective for tryptophan (Trp) and histidine (His) has been developed. BENPH and its Trp and His adducts are characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR and ESI-Mass spectroscopy. Computational studies support the experimental findings. BENPH can image intracellular Trp and His under a fluorescence microscope. The developed method is used to determine Trp and His in fish muscle.