Electrochemical determination of indigo carmine in food and water samples using a novel platform based on chiral amine-bis(phenolate) boron complex

Dual emission N-doped carbon dots as a ratiometric fluorescent and colorimetric dual-signal probe for indigo carmine detection

Novel dual-emission fluorescent nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) were synthesized by a facile one-pot hydrothermal method using ascorbic acid and rhodamine B as precursors and melamine as nitrogen source. The obtained N-CDs exhibited dual-emitting peaks at 435 nm and 578 nm under the single excitation of 350 nm. The fluorescence at 578 nm was more effectively quenched by indigo carmine (IC) based on the internal filtration effect and aggregation-induced emission quenching. Meanwhile, the apparent color change of N-CDs from pink to blue-purple after adding various concentrations of IC could be clearly observed with the naked eye. Therefore, a ratiometric fluorescent and colorimetric dual-signal probe based on N-CDs was developed for IC detection with high selectivity and sensitivity. The addition of IC caused the ratiometric fluorescent value (F₄₃₅/F₅₇₈) to increase linearly within the range from 0 to100 µM with a detection limit (LOD) of 0.18 µM and the colorimetric signal presented a linear response in the range of 0-133 µM with a LOD of 57.4 nM. Furthermore, the IC in juice drink, candy, and water was successfully detected. Besides, the N-CDs were also designed as a ratiometric temperature probe, and the ratiometric fluorescence signal (F₄₃₅/F₅₇₈) was linearly and reversibly responsive to temperature in the range of 20-75 °C.

Combination of colorimetry, inner filter effect-induced fluorometry and smartphone‑based digital image analysis: A versatile and reliable strategy for multi-mode visualization of food dyes

Herein, a multi-mode visualization platform was initiated for in-situ detection of food dyes (FDs) by combining colorimetry, fluorometry and smartphone‑based digital image analysis, in which water-dispersible quantum dots (QDs) were served as nanoprobes. Colorimetry was achieved by color comparison, while both fluorometry and fluorescence quantification were performed through inner filter effect (IFE)-induced fluorescence quenching, then color information (RGB & gray-scale values) of colorimetry and fluorometry was picked by a smartphone to reconstruct digitized alignments. Since IFE mechanism was concentration-dependent but did not rely on the interaction between fluorophore and quencher, the whole process of fluorescence response could be finished within 10 s, and both color gradients and fluorescence changes showed fine mappings to FDs concentrations in the range of 1.0 × 10^-3∼0.035 mg/mL for brilliant blue, and 1.0 × 10^-4∼0.1 mg/mL for Allura red and sunset yellow. As a proof-of-concept, the in-situ multi-mode visualization of these FDs in real beverages was experimentally proved to be highly feasible and reliable as compared with instrumental techniques like UV-vis/fluorescence spectrometry, along with HPLC. Finally, this strategy was extended to the multi-mode visualization of non-food dyes in three simulated wastewater samples with high credibility by contrast with the true additive amounts of model dyes.

Reagentless detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin B via electrochemical interrogation of conformational changes

An electrochemical biosensor for staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) detection has been designed on the basis of electrochemical interrogation of conformational changes. Ferrocene-labeled hairpin probe (Fc-HP) and SEB aptamer are introduced for the construction of the platform. Without SEB, the rigid construction of DNA duplex that included SEB aptamer and Fc-HP prevented Fc getting access to the electrode surface, keeping the "eT-off" state in the detection system. In the presence of SEB, the interaction between SEB and the aptamer could trigger the disruption of DNA duplex and the restoration of hairpin structure, accompanied by the increase of Fc oxidation current. The decreasing distance between the redox probe and electrode upon the nucleic acid reconfiguration substantially increased the efficiency of eT, which resulted in the enhanced Fc signal. The proposed strategy presented a wide linear detection range from 0.005 to 100 ng mL^-1 with a detection limit down to 3 pg mL^-1 (S/N = 3). To investigate the applicability and reliability of the method in real food samples such as milk samples, we compared the results between this method and the commercial ELISA kit. The relative percentage error between the two assays ranged from -6.42% to 6.31%, indicating that there was no obvious difference between the results.

Voltammetric Sensor Based on SeO2 Nanoparticles and Surfactants for Indigo Carmine Determination

Indigo carmine is a widely used colorant in the food and pharmaceutical industry a high concentration of which can lead to a wide range of negative effects on human health. Therefore, colorant contents have to be strictly controlled. SeO₂-nanoparticle-modified glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) have been developed as a voltammetric sensor for indigo carmine. Various types and concentrations of surfactants have been used as reagents for the stabilization of SeO₂ nanoparticle dispersions and as electrode surface co-modifiers. An amount of 1.0 mM cationic cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB) provides the best response of the indigo carmine on the modified electrode. The electrodes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). SeO₂ nanoparticle–CPB-modified electrodes show 4.2-fold higher electroactive area vs. GCE as well as a dramatic 5043-fold decrease in the electron transfer resistance indicating effectivity of the modifier developed. The surface-controlled electrooxidation of indigo carmine proceeds irreversibly (α_a = 0.46) with the participation of two electrons and two protons. A linear dynamic range of 0.025–1.0 and 1.0–10 µM of indigo carmine were obtained with the detection and quantification limits of 4.3 and 14.3 nM, respectively. The practical applicability of the sensor was successfully shown on the pharmaceutical dosage forms.