Molecularly imprinted fluorescent sensors based on nitrogen-doped carbon dots for tiliroside detection

Tiliroside, a naturally occurring flavonoid glycoside widely distributed in plants, exhibits significant pharmacological activities. The content of tiliroside present in some foods and beverages varies greatly, necessitating a convenient and reliable method for quality control purposes. Conventional analytical techniques, such as ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry and infrared spectroscopy, are hindered by complex post-treatment procedures and high instrument costs, limiting their widespread application. Herein, we report a molecularly imprinted fluorescent sensor based on nitrogen-doped carbon dots, which leverages the high fluorescence intensity of nitrogen-doped carbon dots and the superior selectivity of molecularly imprinted polymers to achieve accurate quantification of tiliroside. The proposed sensor exhibits a good linear response in the range of 10-600 μg L^-1, with a detection limit as low as 2.00 μg L^-1. Satisfactory results were obtained in spiked real-sample analysis, with recoveries ranging from 86.22 to 116.02%. Owing to its facile preparation, no requirement of complicated sample pre-treatment, and low cost, this sensor offers a promising tool for the development of similar sensing platforms.