Spectroscopic Investigation of DCCH and FTSC as a potential pair for Förster Resonance Energy Transfer in different solvents

Georg Urstöger; Andreas Steinegger; Robert Schennach; Ulrich Hirn

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0228543

Spectroscopic Investigation of DCCH and FTSC as a potential pair for Förster Resonance Energy Transfer in different solvents

PLoS One. 2020 Feb 11;15(2):e0228543. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228543. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Georg Urstöger^{1

2}, Andreas Steinegger³, Robert Schennach^{2

4}, Ulrich Hirn^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Paper, Pulp and Fiber Technology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.
² CD-Laboratory for Fiber Swelling and Paper Performance, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.
³ Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.
⁴ Institute of Solid State Physics, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.

Abstract

Two molecules, 7-(diethylamino)coumarin-3-carbohydrazide (DCCH) and fluorescein-5-thiosemicarbazide (FTSC) were investigated in different solvents, under varying pH conditions regarding their spectroscopic properties for the usage as a Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) pair to study the molecular interaction between cellulosic surfaces. All the relevant spectroscopic properties to determine the Förster distance were measured and the performance as a FRET system was checked. From the results, it is clear that the environmental conditions need to be accurately controlled as both, but especially the FTSC dyes are sensitive to changes. For high enough concentrations positive FRET systems were observed in DMF, DMSO, H2O, THF and alkaline DMF. However due to the low quantum yield of the unmodified DCCH throughout the investigated parameter range and the strong environmental dependency of FTSC, both dyes are not preferable for being used in a FRET system for studying interaction between cellulosic surfaces.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Coumarins / chemistry*
Energy Transfer / drug effects
Fluoresceins / chemistry*
Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer / methods*
Hydrazines / chemistry*
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Solvents / chemistry*
Solvents / pharmacology
Spectrometry, Fluorescence / methods
Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet / methods
Spectrum Analysis / methods*

Substances

Coumarins
Fluoresceins
Hydrazines
Solvents
7-diethylaminocoumarin-3-carbohydrazide
fluorescein thiosemicarbazide

Grants and funding

The authors thank the Austrian Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth and the Austrian National Foundation for Research, Technology and Development for their financial support. Also the industrial partners Mondi, Canon Production Printing, SIG Combibloc and Kelheim Fibres are acknowledged.