Logic-operated ratiometric fluorescent probe and smartphone sensor array for multiplexed fluoroquinolone detection

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Materials Science

Background:

• Fluoroquinolone antibiotics (FQs) residues, including danofloxacin (DNX), enrofloxacin (ENR), norfloxacin (NFX), and pefloxacin (PEF), can accumulate in humans via contaminated food and water.
• The presence of FQs poses significant health risks, necessitating rapid and reliable detection methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sensitive and selective probe for the quantitative detection of multiple FQs.
• To construct a logic gate sensor array for qualitative differentiation of FQs.
• To enable visual semi-quantitative detection of FQs using smartphone integration.

Main Methods:

• Development of terbium/cadmium telluride quantum dot (Tb/CdTe QD) probes.
• Construction of a logic gate sensor array for FQ differentiation.
• Testing the probe's performance in various real samples like water, milk, honey, and eggs.
• Integration with smartphone color recognition software for visual detection.

Main Results:

• The developed Tb/CdTe QD probe demonstrated excellent anti-interference capability and stability.
• High recovery rates were achieved in the detection of FQs in diverse real samples.
• Low detection limits were established for DNX (3.69 nM), ENR (6.56 nM), NFX (8.70 nM), and PEF (4.72 nM).
• Successful visual semi-quantitative detection of FQs was realized through smartphone integration.

Conclusions:

• The Tb/CdTe QD probe and logic gate sensor array offer a promising platform for the rapid and accurate detection of multiple FQs.
• The developed method provides a sensitive, stable, and anti-interference approach for monitoring FQ contamination in various matrices.
• The integration with smartphone technology facilitates on-site, visual, and semi-quantitative analysis, enhancing food and water safety monitoring.