Screening mercury levels in fish with a selective fluorescent chemosensor.

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Societal concerns exist regarding toxic mercury accumulation in humans through diet and environment.
• Accurate and sensitive mercury detection methods are crucial for public health and environmental monitoring.
• Existing methods for mercury analysis can be complex or lack sensitivity for certain applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, selective, and sensitive small-molecule chemosensor for mercury detection.
• To create a tool for fluorescence screening of mercury levels, particularly in fish.
• To establish a facile method for assaying mercury in fish samples within relevant concentration ranges.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of a fluorescein-based reagent, Mercuryfluor-1 (MF1).
• Evaluation of MF1's selectivity for Hg2+ over other metal ions in aqueous solutions.
• Application of MF1 combined with microwave digestion for mercury analysis in fish tissue.

Main Results:

• MF1 demonstrated excellent selectivity for Hg2+ with a significant turn-on fluorescence response (>170-fold).
• The developed method successfully quantified mercury in fish samples across a concentration range of 0.1 to 8 ppm.
• The assay range is well-aligned with the U.S. EPA's safety standard for mercury in edible fish (0.55 ppm).

Conclusions:

• Mercuryfluor-1 is a highly effective chemosensor for sensitive and selective mercury detection.
• The combination of MF1 and microwave digestion offers a practical approach for mercury monitoring in fish.
• This technology contributes to ensuring the safety of seafood consumption and environmental mercury assessment.