Molecularly imprinted polymer/CdTe quantum dots-decorated polymer optic fiber microprobes for Amoxicillin detection
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Updated: Jan 14, 2026

High-throughput Identification of Bacteria Repellent Polymers for Medical Devices
Published on: November 5, 2016
Jianfeng Liang1, Qixuan Wu1, Ran Xiao1
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanotechnology Research Center, Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Centre for Functional Biomaterials, State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Abstract:
Amoxicillin (AMX) is a widely used antibiotic for infectious diseases. However, excessive residues of AMX in the food chain and environment pose serious threats to public health, making precise monitoring of AMX crucial. Among various detection methods, fluorescence spectroscopy has garnered significant attention due to its unique advantages. Nevertheless, conventional fluorescence probes based on organic dyes or quantum dots (QDs) suffer from limitations such as difficult separation, easy pollution, poor biocompatibility and safety, lack of specificity and in situ detection. To address these challenges, we developed a novel sensor based on a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)/CdTe quantum dots-decorated polymer optical fiber microprobe (POF MP) for AMX detection. This sensor offers multiple advantages, including good specificity, reusability and stability, excellent biocompatibility and safety, in situ monitoring, and residue-free operation. The proposed sensor demonstrates a linear detection range of 0.5-50 μg/L with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.31 μg/L. This innovative sensor provides a promising solution for monitoring AMX concentrations in biological and environmental systems, contributing to advancements in microenvironmental monitoring, pharmaceutical sensing, and biomedical therapeutics.
Insights
A new polymer optical fiber microprobe sensor accurately detects amoxicillin (AMX) residues. This residue-free sensor offers a sensitive and specific method for monitoring AMX in food and environmental samples.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Amoxicillin (AMX) residues in food and environment pose public health risks, necessitating precise monitoring.
- Conventional fluorescence probes for AMX detection have limitations including poor specificity, safety concerns, and difficulty in in situ monitoring.
- Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and quantum dots (QDs) offer potential for developing advanced sensing materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, sensitive, and specific sensor for detecting amoxicillin (AMX) residues.
- To overcome the limitations of existing fluorescence-based detection methods for AMX.
- To enable in situ and residue-free monitoring of AMX in biological and environmental samples.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a polymer optical fiber microprobe (POF MP) decorated with molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) and CdTe quantum dots (QDs).
- Utilizing fluorescence spectroscopy for the detection of AMX based on the MIP/CdTe QD composite.
- Characterization of the sensor's performance, including detection range, limit of detection, specificity, and reusability.
Main Results:
- The developed MIP/CdTe QD-decorated POF MP sensor demonstrated high specificity and stability for AMX detection.
- The sensor achieved a linear detection range of 0.5–50 μg/L with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.31 μg/L.
- The sensor exhibited excellent biocompatibility, safety, and enabled residue-free, in situ monitoring.
Conclusions:
- The novel MIP/CdTe QD-decorated POF MP sensor provides a promising and innovative solution for precise AMX monitoring.
- This sensor addresses key limitations of conventional methods, offering advantages in specificity, reusability, and safety.
- The technology has significant potential for applications in microenvironmental monitoring, pharmaceutical sensing, and biomedical therapeutics.

