Smartphone-assisted multiple-mode assay of ascorbic acid using cobalt oxyhydroxide nanoflakes and carbon quantum dots

A fast visual onsite method for detection and quantitation of food additives using an engineered metal nanohybrid-based catalyst

Unsafe food additives pose a significant threat to global health, especially in developing countries. Many existing methods rely on clean laboratories, complicated optics equipment, trained personnel and lengthy detection time, which are not suitable for onsite food safety inspections in emergency situations, peculiarly in impoverished areas. In this paper, a fast and visual onsite method is designed for the detection and quantification of additives in food safety by engineering a nanohybrid (MoS2/SDBS/Cu-CuFe2O4)-based catalysis. Interestingly, the nanohybrid presents peroxidase-like mimetic activity toward the substrate containing 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which are then integrated simply into a detection kit. The blue oxidated TMB in this kit can be converted completely to colorless by some bio-molecule additives in commercial food, such as glutathione (GSH), cysteine (Cys), and ascorbic acid (AA). Remarkably, this process takes just less than 2 min and the detection limits are 2.8 nM, 5.5 nM and 47 nM, respectively. These results show excellent repeatability with a statistical analysis with (*P < 0.05) over 30 tests. Next, the images of the color changes can be captured clearly using a smartphone by red-green-blue (RGB) channels, which provides an opportunity for the development of field-operation device. Additionally, our approach is applied to some targets-indicative foods, showing a recovery range between 95.8 % and 104.2 %, offering an attractive and promising pathway for future practical food safety inspection applications. More importantly, this method can easily be extended to the detection of reducing substances in other analytical fields.

A Dual-Signal Sensing for the Visual and Luminescent Detection of p-Phenylenediamine Based on Cerium-Nitrogen-Co-Doped Carbon Dots

Herein, a visual and luminescent dual-mode (colorimetric and fluorometric) method for the detection of P-phenylenediamine (PPD) in hair dye was successfully established based on cerium-nitrogen co-doped carbon dots (Ce, N-CDs) that displayed remarkable luminescence and peroxidase activity. Ce, N-CDs catalyzed H2O2 to produce superoxide anion, which then oxidized the colorless 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) into blue oxidized TMB (oxTMB), capable of quenching the fluorescence through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between Ce, N-CDs and oxTMB. The reducing properties of PPD could reduce oxTMB back to TMB, leading to a decrease in the absorption intensity of oxTMB and a fluorescence recovery of Ce, N-CDs. As a result, the quantitative detection of PPD could be achieved by measuring the absorption values of oxTMB and the fluorescence signal of Ce, N-CDs. The detection limits for PPD were calculated as 0.36 µM and 0.10 µM for colorimetry and fluorimetry, respectively. Furthermore, smartphone application (ColorPicker) capable of measuring the RGB value of the color was utilized in the detection system, facilitating on-site quantitative detection. This approach effectively shortens the detection time and simplifies the operation, offering a powerful and convenient tool for real-time monitoring of PPD.

A Ratiometric Biosensor Containing Manganese Dioxide Nanosheets and Nitrogen-Doped Quantum Dots for 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid Monitoring

Nanomaterials are desirable for sensing applications. Therefore, MnO2 nanosheets and nitrogen-doped carbon dots (NCDs) were used to construct a ratiometric biosensor for quantification of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The MnO2 nanosheets drove the oxidation of colorless o-phenylenediamine to OPDox, which exhibits fluorescence emission peaks at 556 nm. The fluorescence of OPDox was efficiently quenched and the NCDs were recovered as the ascorbic acid produced by the hydrolyzed alkaline phosphatase (ALP) substrate increased. Owing to the selective inhibition of ALP activity by 2,4-D and the inner filter effect, the fluorescence intensity of the NCDs at 430 nm was suppressed, whereas that at 556 nm was maintained. The fluorescence intensity ratio was used for quantitative detection. The linear equation was F = 0.138 + 3.863·C 2,4-D (correlation coefficient R2 = 0.9904), whereas the limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.013 and 0.040 μg/mL. The method was successfully employed for the determination of 2,4-D in different vegetables with recoveries of 79%~105%. The fluorescent color change in the 2,4-D sensing system can also be captured by a smartphone to achieve colorimetric detection by homemade portable test kit.

QD-based fluorescent nanosensors: Production methods, optoelectronic properties, and recent food applications

Food quality and safety are crucial public health concerns with global significance. In recent years, a series of fluorescence detection technologies have been widely used in the detection/monitoring of food quality and safety. Due to the advantages of wide detection range, high sensitivity, convenient and fast detection, and strong specificity, quantum dot (QD)-based fluorescent nanosensors have emerged as preferred candidates for food quality and safety analysis. In this comprehensive review, several common types of QD production methods are introduced, including colloidal synthesis, self-assembly, plasma synthesis, viral assembly, electrochemical assembly, and heavy-metal-free synthesis. The optoelectronic properties of QDs are described in detail at the electronic level, and the effect of food matrices on QDs was summarized. Recent advancements in the field of QD-based fluorescent nanosensors for trace level detection and monitoring of volatile components, heavy metal ions, food additives, pesticide residues, veterinary-drug residues, other chemical components, mycotoxins, foodborne pathogens, humidity, and temperature are also thoroughly summarized. Moreover, we discuss the limitations of the QD-based fluorescent nanosensors and present the challenges and future prospects for developing QD-based fluorescent nanosensors. As shown by numerous publications in the field, QD sensors have the advantages of strong anti-interference ability, convenient and quick operation, good linear response, and wide detection range. However, the reported assays are laboratory-focused and have not been industrialized and commercialized. Promising research needs to examine the potential applications of bionanotechnology in QD-based fluorescent nanosensors, and focus on the development of smart packaging films, labeled test strips, and portable kits-based sensors.

A smartphone-assisted ratiometric colorimetric and fluorescent probe for triple-mode determination of nitrite based on MnO2 nanoparticles and carbon quantum dots

A triple-mode colorimetric and fluorescent sensing scheme based on manganese dioxide nanoparticles (MnO₂NPs) and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were developed to determine nitrite. MnO₂NPs can oxidize 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) into a blue oxidation product (TMBox), which is further oxidized into a yellow diimine derivative by nitrite. The ratio of absorbance at 652 nm to 452 nm was monitored as signal response for UV-vis detection mode. A "turn-off" CQDs fluorescence probe was also constructed for fluorescent detection mode. Smartphone tool kit was used to capture the color of sample for smartphone-based measurement. Various analytical performance under different detection modes were obtained and compared. The proposed methods were applied to food samples with satisfactory recoveries (83.3-106 %). The results were validated with AOAC standard spectrophotometric method. The current triple-mode detection were accurate, convenient, low-cost and fast for analyzing nitrite in foods and water samples on-site.

Revolutionizing Food Safety with Quantum Dot-Polymer Nanocomposites: From Monitoring to Sensing Applications

The present review article investigates the prospective utilisation of quantum dot-polymer nanocomposites in the context of ensuring food safety. The text pertains to the advancement of nanocomposites, encompassing their distinctive optical and electrical characteristics, and their prospective to transform the detection and perception of food safety risks. The article explores diverse methodologies for producing nanocomposites and underscores their potential utility in identifying impurities, microorganisms, and harmful substances in food. The article provides an overview of the challenges and limitations associated with the utilisation of nanocomposites in food safety applications, encompassing concerns regarding toxicity and the necessity for standardised protocols. The review article presents a comprehensive examination of the present research status in this area and underscores the potential of quantum dots-polymer nanocomposites in transforming food safety monitoring and sensing.

Developments in FRET- and BRET-Based Biosensors

Resonance energy transfer technologies have achieved great success in the field of analysis. Particularly, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) provide strategies to design tools for sensing molecules and monitoring biological processes, which promote the development of biosensors. Here, we provide an overview of recent progress on FRET- and BRET-based biosensors and their roles in biomedicine, environmental applications, and synthetic biology. This review highlights FRET- and BRET-based biosensors and gives examples of their applications with their design strategies. The limitations of their applications and the future directions of their development are also discussed.