Fluorescent Molybdenum Disulfide Quantum Dots for Sensitive Detecting Curcumin in Food Samples through FRET Mechanism

A selective and sensitive fluorometric assay was developed for specific determination of curcumin (Cur) based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between molybdenum disulfide quantum dots (MoS₂ QDs) and Cur. The MoS₂ QDs were prepared via a one-step hydrothermal protocol using sodium molybdate dihydrate, L-cysteine (Cys) as precursors, and sodium cholate (SC) as a modification agent. The as-prepared MoS₂ QDs possessed maximum fluorescence emission at 460 nm with a 20% of fluorescence quantum yield (FQY). It was found that the fluorescence of MoS₂ QDs could be quantitatively quenched by Cur through FRET mechanism. Therefore, Cur could be detected in the range of 0.1-20 µg mL^- 1 with a detection limit of 5 ng mL^- 1. Additionally, the developed MoS₂ QDs based fluorescent assay has been successfully applied for real food sample analysis with satisfactory results.