A glutathione-sensitive small molecule fluorescent probe for rapid and facile gut microbiota sensing

The human gut microbiota plays an integral role in the management of human health. Effective detection of gut-derived bacteria and their metabolites, as well as assessing antibiotic susceptibility, are crucial for the treatment of intestinal bacteria-related diseases. Herein, we designed and developed a dual-site (nitrophenyl sulfide group and aldehyde group) fluorescent probe DNO-HC, which could rapidly (∼1 min) respond to glutathione (GSH) with low background fluorescence, high selectivity, and low detection limits (45 nM). Moreover, the probe can be used to evaluate the metabolic levels (GSH) in different gut-derived bacteria and discriminate their Gram status. Remarkably, the assessment of antimicrobial susceptibility to a variety of antibiotics has been successfully accomplished utilizing this probe. It offers a promising strategy for the treatment of diseases associated with bacterial infections.