Innovative fluorescence sensing platform for β-lactams based on acidity/basicity-sensitive graphdiyne quantum dots

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Beta-lactam antibiotics (β-LA) residues in the environment pose significant risks to human health.
• Existing sensing methods for β-LA are often complex, lacking universality and simplicity.
• There is a critical need for efficient and accessible β-LA detection techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, sensitive, and universal fluorescence-sensing strategy for β-lactam antibiotics.
• To create acidity/basicity-sensitive graphdiyne quantum dots (S-GDY QDs) for sensing applications.
• To establish a portable and visual detection platform for β-LA in environmental samples.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of acidity/basicity-sensitive graphdiyne quantum dots (S-GDY QDs) using basic fuchsin and graphdiyne.
• Development of a fluorescence-sensing mechanism based on β-lactamase-catalyzed hydrolysis of β-LA to carboxylic acid.
• Construction of a smartphone-integrated fluorescence test strip for rapid and visual β-LA detection.

Main Results:

• The first reported acidity/basicity-sensitive GDY QDs (S-GDY QDs) were successfully synthesized.
• A fluorescence quenching mechanism was established, correlating β-LA concentration with fluorescence intensity changes.
• A detection limit as low as 15.7 nM for penicillin G was achieved using the developed test strip platform.

Conclusions:

• The novel S-GDY QDs provide a sensitive platform for β-LA detection.
• The integrated fluorescence test strip enables rapid, portable, and visual monitoring of β-LA.
• This method holds significant potential for environmental monitoring and public health protection against β-LA contamination.