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Photostable o-Carborane-DAPA Hybrids for On-Site Nitrite Screening: Dual-Mode Detection Achieving Sub-100 nM
Hexi Wei1, Yangtao Shao1, Xubin Wang1
1Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry, Ministry of Education; Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of New Concept Sensors and Molecular Materials; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, P. R. China.
Analytical Chemistry
|November 11, 2025
Summary
A new fluorescent probe, DAPA-1CB, offers sensitive and reliable detection of nitrite in food. This advancement aids in ensuring food safety by monitoring potentially harmful nitrite levels.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Food Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Nitrite is a common food additive, but excessive intake poses health risks, including carcinogenicity.
- Current detection methods for nitrite may lack the sensitivity or reliability needed for comprehensive food safety analysis.
- There is a critical need for advanced analytical tools to accurately quantify nitrite levels in various food products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel fluorescent probe, DAPA-1CB, for sensitive and selective nitrite detection.
- To investigate the impact of o-carborane modification on the probe's photophysical properties and performance.
- To evaluate the probe's efficacy in real-world food matrices.
Main Methods:
- Design and synthesis of an o-carborane-modified fluorophore (DAPA-1CB) incorporating nitrite-recognition motifs.
- Characterization of the probe's photophysical properties, including photostability and Stokes shift.
- Assessment of the probe's sensitivity, selectivity, and performance in complex food samples using fluorescence and colorimetric methods.
Main Results:
- The o-carborane modification significantly enhanced the probe's photostability and expanded its Stokes shift.
- DAPA-1CB demonstrated dual-mode (fluorescence and colorimetric) detection capabilities with sub-100 nM sensitivity.
- The probe exhibited excellent selectivity, distinguishing nitrite from potential interferents, and achieved high recovery rates (92-106%) in food matrices like pickles, bacon, and smoked fish.
Conclusions:
- DAPA-1CB is a robust and practical fluorescent probe for accurate nitrite monitoring in food.
- The developed probe offers a promising solution for enhancing food safety through reliable nitrite detection.
- The design strategy using o-carborane modification presents a valuable approach for creating high-performance fluorescent probes for various analytical applications.
