A Heparinase Sensor Based on a Ternary System of Hg²⁺–Heparin–Osmium Nanoparticles

A visual assay for the detection of heparinase was developed on the basis of a ternary system of Hg2+–heparin–osmium nanoparticles (OsNPs). First, heparin-capped OsNPs (heparin–OsNPs) were synthesized by a facile reduction method using heparin as the protecting/stabilizing agent. The oxidase-like activity of heparin–OsNPs, however, turned out to be low, which somewhat limits their application. We discovered that Hg2+ can...