Cumhuriyet Science Journal

Abstract

Sensing of metal ions using fluorometric tools has wide applications in
chemical, biological and environmental analysis. Plant phytochemicals, like
flavonoids, exhibit intense fluorescence upon excitation by UV light. Leaves
sage (Salvia officinalis), which is
rich in polyphenolic and flavonoids compounds, were extracted using Soxhlet and
microwave-assisted extractors. The extraction methods led to variations in the
phytochemical composition of the extracts, which in turn affected their
interaction with metal ions. Despite the variations in the composition, both of
the extracts gave high fluorescence emissions when excited at 365 nm.
Variations in fluorescence emissions of the extracts were studied in upon
addition of each metal ion;  i.e., Li⁺,
Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺, Be²⁺, Mg²⁺,
Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Al³⁺, Tl³⁺, Ge⁴⁺,
Sn⁴⁺, Pb²⁺, Sb³⁺, Bi³⁺, Se⁴⁺,
Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ti⁴⁺,
Cr³⁺, Cr⁶⁺, Mo⁶⁺,  W⁶⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe³⁺,
Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ and Pd²⁺. When they were added into
the Soxhlet extract, some ions (Cr³⁺, Pb²⁺, Co²⁺)
induced intense fluorescence and some (Ge⁴⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺,
Na⁺) ions quenched the fluorescence emission. As for
microwave-assisted extract, the addition of Sr²⁺, Mg²⁺
and Co²⁺ ions enhanced the fluorescence emission of the extract, but
Fe³⁺, Be²⁺ and Cs⁺ lowered the fluorescence
intensity. However, the results of the study should be considered as
introductory and further selectivity and sensitivity studies should be done for
each extract if they are used for sensing of metal ions. Yet, this study
demonstrated that sage extracts has a potential for fluorescent sensing of
certain metal ions.