Long-chain alkyl esters of gallic acid: Fluorescent markers of albumin's fatty acid binding sites

• Long-chain gallates exhibit fluorescence upon binding with human albumin (HSA). • The interaction primarily takes place at the fatty acid (FA) binding pockets of HSA. • A ground-state complex between HSA and gallates explains the findings. • Long-chain gallates can serve as fluorescent markers for fatty acids in albumin. • Potential of mean force (PMF) analyses confirm the binding process.