Triple-Emission Single Sensing Element-Enabled Ratiometric Fluorescent Array Identification of Multiple Antibiotics.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Antibiotic residues pose significant environmental and human health risks.
• Synchronous analysis of multiple antibiotic residues is crucial but challenging.
• Current sensor arrays often lack sensitivity and ease of use due to complex designs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a facile and highly sensitive luminescent sensor array for simultaneous detection of multiple antibiotic residues.
• To design a single fluorescent nanoprobe capable of distinguishing various antibiotics.
• To enable accurate identification and quantification of antibiotics in complex matrices.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a triple-emission fluorescent nanoprobe (CdTe-ATPA-Eu3+) using 2-aminoterephthalic acid-anchored CdTe quantum dots and Eu3+ coordination.
• Development of a luminescent sensor array utilizing ratiometric calculations based on the probe's triple emissions.
• Application of pattern recognition analysis for multitarget determination of six model antibiotics (tetracycline, chlortetracycline, doxycycline, oxytetracycline, penicillin G, sulfamethoxazole).

Main Results:

• The CdTe-ATPA-Eu3+ nanoprobe exhibited distinguishable luminescence responses (motivation/quenching) to different antibiotics.
• The sensor array successfully identified and quantified individual antibiotics and their combinations with high sensitivity and reliability.
• Accurate detection was validated in both laboratory and practical environmental samples.

Conclusions:

• The developed triple-emission nanoprobe and ratiometric sensor array offer a facile, sensitive, and reliable platform for simultaneous antibiotic detection.
• This approach overcomes limitations of current sensor technologies, paving the way for advanced multitarget analysis.
• The findings provide a valuable tool for monitoring antibiotic pollution and safeguarding environmental and human health.