Synthesis of sodium thiosulfate-reduced copper nanoclusters using bovine serum albumin as a template and their applications in the fluorometric detection of minocycline

•CuNCs were synthesized by using environmentally friendly Na2S2O3 as reductant.•The CuNCs have good water solubility, high stability and fluorescence intensity.•The method for detecting minocycline (MC) based on the CuNCs probe was established.•The method was successfully applied to detect MC in urine and human serum samples.