A turn-on fluorescent probe for vitamin C based on the use of a silicon/CoOOH nanoparticle system

A sensing platform for ascorbic acid based on the spatial confinement of covalent organic frameworks

Essential to many activities in our bodies, ascorbic acid is a small molecule essential to human health and physiological processes. In this study, a covalent organic framework called TpNda-COF was synthesized, which is composed of Tp (triformylephloroglucinol) and Nda (1, 5-napthalenediamine). This framework acts as a mimic enzyme and displays excellent oxidase-like activity when stimulated with purple light (at = 405 nm). It catalyzes the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzydine (TMB) by generating O2- free radicals in the presence of oxygen. The resulting oxTMB shows a characteristic absorption peak at 652 nm. The biomimetic catalysis efficiency is significantly improved due to spatial restriction. By introducing ascorbic acid (AA) in the system, the blue oxTMB is reduced to colorless TMB. The decrease in absorption peak intensity can be quantitatively measured using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer, enabling the detection of AA. The sensing platform demonstrates excellent selectivity and sensitivity. It has a wide linear detection range from 5 μM to 50 μM, with a low detection limit of 1.44 μM. Advantages such as the easy control of light, high stability and efficient oxidation are provided by the TpNda-COF mimic oxidase. This innovative method presents a promising and cost-effective approach for rapid detection of ascorbic acid, with potential applications across various fields.

Parallel Monitoring of Glucose, Free Amino Acids, and Vitamin C in Fruits Using a High-Throughput Paper-Based Sensor Modified with Poly(carboxybetaine acrylamide)

Herein, a cost-effective and portable microfluidic paper-based sensor is proposed for the simultaneous and rapid detection of glucose, free amino acids, and vitamin C in fruit. The device was constructed by embedding a poly(carboxybetaine acrylamide) (pCBAA)-modified cellulose paper chip within a hydrophobic acrylic plate. We successfully showcased the capabilities of a filter paper-based microfluidic sensor for the detection of fruit nutrients using three distinct colorimetric analyses. Within a single paper chip, we simultaneously detected glucose, free amino acids, and vitamin C in the vivid hues of cyan blue, purple, and Turnbull's blue, respectively, in three distinctive detection zones. Notably, we employed more stable silver nanoparticles for glucose detection, replacing the traditional peroxidase approach. The detection limits for glucose reached a low level of 0.049 mmol/L. Meanwhile, the detection limits for free amino acids and vitamin C were found to be 0.236 mmol/L and 0.125 mmol/L, respectively. The feasibility of the proposed sensor was validated in 13 different practical fruit samples using spectrophotometry. Cellulose paper utilizes capillary action to process trace fluids in tiny channels, and combined with pCBAA, which has superior hydrophilicity and anti-pollution properties, it greatly improves the sensitivity and practicality of paper-based sensors. Therefore, the paper-based colorimetric device is expected to provide technical support for the nutritional value assessment of fruits in the field of rapid detection.

Ni3V2O8 nanoflower mimetic enzyme constructs a dual-signal system for ascorbic acid detection

Ascorbic acid is a nutritional small molecule essential to human life activities and health, playing a vital role in many physiological processes. Fresh fruits and beverages can provide abundant AA to maintain human metabolic balance. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop a nanomaterial with superior nanozyme activity for rapid and convenient detection of ascorbic acid (AA) in fruits and beverages. Herein, a dual-signal sensing platform based on UV-vis absorption and test strip chromaticity for the quantitative determination of AA is presented. The sensing platform is based on the horseradish peroxidase-like activity of Ni3V2O8 nanoflowers, which catalyzes the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) by hydrogen peroxide to the blue oxide TMB (ox TMB). The ox TMB produced by the oxidation has a characteristic absorption peak at 650 nm. In the presence of AA, the blue ox TMB is reduced to colorless TMB, and the quantitative detection of AA can be achieved by detecting the decrease in intensity of the absorption peak by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the sensing platform exhibited excellent sensitivity and selectivity. A wide linear range of 0.1 μM to 40 μM with a detection limit of 0.032 μM was obtained. The linear equation is ΔA = 0.02513c + 0.1164 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9979. It showed excellent properties in the detection of real samples of fruit juices and beverages, meanwhile, a method for the rapid detection of AA based on chromaticity change of test strips was constructed with high sensitivity and convenience. The linearity range for the ascorbic acid was 1-50 μM with LOD of 0.42 μM. The developed sensing platform has the capability to quickly and accurately detect ascorbic acid (AA) in fresh fruits and beverages. This proposed method offers a new and promising approach for the rapid and cost-effective detection of ascorbic acid, which has a wide range of potential applications.

Silicon Nanoparticle-Based Ratiometric Fluorescence Probes for Highly Sensitive and Visual Detection of VB2

In this work, blue fluorescent silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) were prepared by a simple one-step hydrothermal method using (3-aminopropyl) triethoxy silane (APTES) and eriochrome black T as raw materials. The SiNPs showed favorable water solubility, thermal stability, pH stability, salt tolerance, and photobleaching resistance. At an excitation wavelength of 376 nm, the SiNPs emitted bright blue fluorescence at 460 nm. In the presence of vitamin B₂ (VB₂), the fluorescence intensity (FL intensity) of the SiNPs at 460 nm decreased obviously, and a new peak appeared at 521 nm. Based on this, a novel ratiometric fluorescence method was established for VB₂ detection. There was a good linear relationship between the fluorescence intensity ratio (F ₅₂₁/F ₄₆₀) and VB₂ concentration from 0.5 to 60 μM with a detection limit of 135 nM. This method was successfully applied to detect VB₂ content in the samples of vitamin B₂ drugs and beverages. Additionally, a simple paper sensor based on the SiNPs was designed to visualize detection of VB₂. With the support of color recognition software on a smartphone, the visual quantitative analysis of VB₂ was realized, ranging from 40 to 800 μM.

A novel biosensor for detecting vitamin C in milk powder based on Hg2+-mediated DNA structural changes

Background:

Detection of Vitamin C (Vc) is very important to protect human health. A lot of methods have been developed for the detection of Vc. However, many methods require complex material preparation and skilled operators. Thus, a simple, label-free biosensor is still urgently needed.

Methods:

In this work, N-methylmesoporphyrin IX (NMM)/G-quadruplex pair was used as a label-free signal reporter. Without Vc, the G-quadruplex DNA and its incomplete complementary chain could form duplex structure by T-Hg(II)-T mismatch. In this case, the G-quadruplex structure could not be formed. When Vc was added, the Hg2+ was reduced to Hg(0). Then, the G-quadruplex DNA became free and formed G-quadruplex structure to emit fluorescence signal.

Results:

Under optimal conditions, this biosensor showed a good linear response in the range of 0.2 - 4.0 μM and a low limit of detection (19.9 nM). This biosensor also had good selectivity towards Vc. Meanwhile, the satisfactory recovery rates (93.2%-102.8%) suggested that this biosensor had attractive potential for measuring Vc in real samples.

Conclusion:

In this work, a simple label-free fluorescent biosensor for the detection of Vc based on Hg2+-mediated DNA structural changes had been developed. The whole experiment was simple and all reagents were commercialized. The label-free detection was realized by NMM/G-quadruplex as a signal reporter. This biosensor was very sensitive with a low limit of detection. And it had a potential practical application for the Vc detection in milk powder.

Methyl viologen induced fluorescence quenching of CdTe quantum dots for highly sensitive and selective "off-on" sensing of ascorbic acid through redox reaction

A turn-on fluorescent sensor based on CdTe quantum dots (QDs) is designed for highly sensitive and selective ascorbic acid (AA) detection. CdTe shows a strong emission centered at 578 nm. When assembled with poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and methyl viologen (Mv²⁺) through electrostatic interaction, the emission is found to be effectively quenched. In the presence of AA, Mv²⁺ is reduced to Mv⁺, making the fluorescence of CdTe QDs restored. Under the optimal conditions, the proposed AA sensing method shows a linear proportional response from 0.8 µM to 20 µM, with the detecting limit as low as 50 nM. The developed method was successfully applied in the analysis of AA in human serum samples and cell lysates with satisfactory results.

Cuttlefish ink-based N and S co-doped carbon quantum dots as a fluorescent sensor for highly sensitive and selective para-nitrophenol detection

Para-nitrophenol (PNP) is an important raw material for organic synthesis and its extensive use has produced a series of environmental problems. Here, we develop a highly sensitive and selective fluorescent detection method for PNP with cuttlefish ink-based carbon quantum dots (CQDs). The cuttlefish ink, which is rich in eumelanin, is utilized as the only precursor to synthesize the CQDs via a one-step hydrothermal method. The resultant CQDs were co-doped with nitrogen and sulfur and exhibited excellent fluorescence properties. Two optimal emissions can be observed at the excitation/emission wavelengths of 320/385 nm and 390/465 nm, respectively. In the presence of PNP, the two emissions are remarkably quenched. PNP can be measured in the linear detection concentration range of 1.25-50 μM (Em = 385 nm and R² = 0.9884) or 1.25-27.5 μM (Em = 465 nm and R² = 0.9818) with a detection limit of 0.05 μM. Significantly, it is found that a much wider linear detection range of 0.05-125 μM with a lower detection limit of 0.039 μM (3σ/k) can be achieved when log(I_{385 nm} + I_{465 nm}) was utilized to quantify PNP. The investigations of the sensing mechanism suggested that the inner filter effect and photoinduced electron transfer of PNP and N,S-CQDs leads to fluorescence quenching. The sensing method is successfully applied for PNP detection in real water samples with satisfactory recoveries (91.18-103.14%). A new sustainable waste-prevention strategy of cuttlefish ink and a feasible alternative to PNP detection methods is provided in this article.

Construction of a Carbon Dots/Cobalt Oxyhydroxide Nanoflakes Biosensing Platform for Detection of Acid Phosphatase

Because abnormal acid phosphatase (ACP) can disrupt the normal physiological processes, determination of ACP level is extremely important for early diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic evaluation of diseases. Herein, a fluorescence platform for monitoring ACP level was established based on the assembly of red-emitting carbon dots (RCDs) on cobalt oxyhydroxide (CoOOH) nanoflakes. RCDs displayed excellent water solubility, pH stability, salt resistance, and photobleaching resistance. Interestingly, the fluorescence of the RCDs assembled on the surface of the CoOOH nanoflakes could be quenched due to the energy transfer caused by the nanoflakes. However, the ascorbic acid (AA) produced by the hydrolysis of ascorbic acid-2-phosphate trisodium salt (AAP) catalyzed by ACP could quickly and effectively reduce CoOOH nanoflakes, leading to the fluorescence recovery of the RCDs. Therefore, an "off-on" biosensor platform for rapid, sensitive, and selective detection of ACP was constructed with a limit of detection of 0.25 mU/L. With the assistance of the biosensor, the level of ACP in human serum samples was evaluated, and the spike recovery values ranged from 94.0% to 104.5%.