Detection of urinary creatinine using gold nanoparticles after solid phase extraction

•The detection was based on the aggregation of AuNPs induced by creatinine.•Solid phase extraction was used to overcome urinary matrix interfering effect.•The method could be used in the analysis of urine samples with acceptable accuracy.

Label-free gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were utilized in the detection of creatinine in human urine after a sample preparation by extraction of creatinine on sulfonic acid functionalized silica gel. With the proposed sample preparation method, the interfering effects of the urine matrix on creatinine detection by AuNPs were eliminated. Parameters affecting creatinine extraction were investigated. The aggregation of AuNPs induced by creatinine resulted in a change in the surface plasmon resonance signal with a concomitant color change that could be observed by the naked eye and quantified spectrometrically. The effect of AuNP concentration and reaction time on AuNP aggregation was investigated. The method described herein provides a determination of creatinine in a range of 15–40 mg L−1 with a detection limit of 13.7 mg L−1 and it was successfully used in the detection of creatinine in human urine samples.

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