Spectrofluorimetric determination of trace nitrite with a novel fluorescent probe

Rapid, portable and visualizing nitrite detection enabled by a rationally designed meso-aminoindole substituted pyronine-based fluorescent probe

Nitrite (NO2-) widely exists in our daily diet, and its excessive consumption can lead to detrimental effects on the human central nervous system and an elevated risk of cancer. The fluorescence probe method for the determination of nitrite has developed rapidly due to its simplicity, rapidity and sensitivity. Despite establishing various nitrite sensing platforms to ensure the safety of foods and drinking water, the simultaneous achievement of rapid, specific, affordable, visualizing, and on-site nitrite detection remains challenging. Here, we designed a novel fluorescent probe by using Rhodamine 800 as the fluorescent skeleton and 5-aminoindole as the specific reaction group to solve this problem. The probe shows a maximal fluorescence emission at 602 nm, thereby avoiding background emission interference when applied to food samples. Moreover, this unique probe exhibited excellent sensing capabilities for detecting nitrite. These included: a rapid response time within 3 min, a noticeable color change that the naked eye can observe, a low detection limit of 13.8 nM, and a remarkable selectivity and specificity to nitrite. Besides that, the probe can detect nitrite quantitatively in barreled drinking water, ham sausage, and pickles samples, with good recoveries ranging from 89.0 % to 105.8 %. More importantly, based on the probe fixation and signal processing technology, a portable and smart sensing platform was fabricated and made convenient and rapid analysis the content of NO2- in real samples possible. The results obtained in this work provide a new strategy for the design of high-performance nitrite probes and feasible technology for portable, rapid and visual detection of nitrite, and this probe holds the potential as a practical tool for alleviating concern regarding nitrite levels.

Auxochrome Dimethyl-Dihydroacridine Improves Fluorophores for Prolonged Live-Cell Super-Resolution Imaging

Superior photostability, minimal phototoxicity, red-shifted absorption/emission wavelengths, high brightness, and an enlarged Stokes shift are essential characteristics of top-tier organic fluorophores, particularly for long-lasting super-resolution imaging in live cells (e.g., via stimulated emission depletion (STED) nanoscopy). However, few existing fluorophores possess all of these properties. In this study, we demonstrate a general approach for simultaneously enhancing these parameters through the introduction of 9,9-dimethyl-9,10-dihydroacridine (DMA) as an electron-donating auxochrome. DMA not only induces red shifts in emission wavelengths but also suppresses photooxidative reactions and prevents the formation of triplet states in DMA-based fluorophores, greatly improving photostability and remarkably minimizing phototoxicity. Moreover, the DMA group enhances the fluorophores' brightness and enlarges the Stokes shift. Importantly, the "universal" benefits of attaching the DMA auxochrome have been exemplified in various fluorophores including rhodamines, difluoride-boron complexes, and coumarin derivatives. The resulting fluorophores successfully enabled the STED imaging of organelles and HaloTag-labeled membrane proteins.

Ion-selective electrodes based on laser-induced graphene as an alternative method for nitrite monitoring

Nitrite is an important food additive for cured meats; however, high nitrite levels pose adverse health effects to humans. Hence, monitoring nitrite concentration is critical to comply with limits imposed by regulatory agencies. Laser-induced graphene (LIG) has proven to be a scalable manufacturing alternative to produce high-performance electrochemical transducers for sensors. Herein, we expand upon initial LIG studies by fabricating hydrophilic and hydrophobic LIG that are subsequently converted into ion-selective sensors to monitor nitrite in food samples with comparable performance to the standard photometric method (Griess method). The hydrophobic LIG resulted in an ion-selective electrode with improved potential stability due partly to a decrease in the water layer between the electrode and the nitrite poly(vinyl) chloride-based ion-selective membrane. These resultant nitrite ion-selective sensors displayed Nernstian response behavior with a sensitivity of 59.5 mV dec-1, a detection limit of 0.3 ± 0.1 mg L-1 (mean ± standard deviation), and a broad linear sensing range from 10-5 to 10-1 M, which was significantly larger than currently published nitrite methods. Nitrite levels were determined directly in food extract samples of sausage, ham, and bacon for 5 min. These sensor metrics are significant as regulatory agencies limit nitrite levels up to 200 mg L-1 in finished products to reduce the potential formation of nitrosamine (carcinogenic compound). These results demonstrate the versatility of LIG as a platform for ion-selective-LIG sensors and simple, efficient, and scalable electrochemical sensing in general while demonstrating a promising alternative to monitor nitrite levels in food products ensuring regulatory compliance.

Design, Synthesis, and Utility of Defined Molecular Scaffolds

A growing theme in chemistry is the joining of multiple organic molecular building blocks to create functional molecules. Diverse derivatizable structures—here termed “scaffolds” comprised of “hubs”—provide the foundation for systematic covalent organization of a rich variety of building blocks. This review encompasses 30 tri- or tetra-armed molecular hubs (e.g., triazine, lysine, arenes, dyes) that are used directly or in combination to give linear, cyclic, or branched scaffolds. Each scaffold is categorized by graph theory into one of 31 trees to express the molecular connectivity and overall architecture. Rational chemistry with exacting numbers of derivatizable sites is emphasized. The incorporation of water-solubilization motifs, robust or self-immolative linkers, enzymatically cleavable groups and functional appendages affords immense (and often late-stage) diversification of the scaffolds. Altogether, 107 target molecules are reviewed along with 19 syntheses to illustrate the distinctive chemistries for creating and derivatizing scaffolds. The review covers the history of the field up through 2020, briefly touching on statistically derivatized carriers employed in immunology as counterpoints to the rationally assembled and derivatized scaffolds here, although most citations are from the past two decades. The scaffolds are used widely in fields ranging from pure chemistry to artificial photosynthesis and biomedical sciences.

On the combination of luminescent rare earth MOF and rhodamine dopant with two sensing channels for picric acid

The present paper reported a hybrid structure for the optical recognition of PA (picric acid). This dye-MOF structure, named as R6h@EuBTC, consisted of a supporting matrix based on rare earth MOF and a sensing probe based on rhodamine dye, which was confirmed using XRD, IR, thermal and photophysical analysis. R6h@EuBTC's rhodamine absorption in visible region was enhanced by increasing PA concentrations, showing obvious color change and consequently colorimetric sensing. R6h@EuBTC's rhodamine emission component was increased by increasing PA concentrations, while its Eu emission component was slightly quenched by increasing PA concentrations, which offered self-calibrated sensing signals for ratiometric fluorescent sensing. Linear response and good selectivity were observed for both sensing channels with LOD of 3.9 μM. R6h@EuBTC's sensing mechanism towards PA was the combination of two procedures, which were the emission turn on effect of rhodamine component triggered by PA-released protons and the emission turn off effect of Eu component caused by its electron transfer procedure to PA, respectively. R6h@EuBTC's novelty was its two sensing channels and the practicability of naked eye detection.

A review on spectroscopic methods for determination of nitrite and nitrate in environmental samples

Nitrate is an important pollutant found in environmental samples. Nitrate and nitrite pose various environmental as well as health hazards. Different methods of determining nitrate in various environmental samples developed during previous years include spectrophotometric, chemiluminescence, electrochemical detection, chromatographic, capillary electrophoretic, spectrofluorimetric methods. Out of these, methods based on spectroscopic detection of nitrate have been discussed in this review article due to their easy availability, high sensitivity, low detection limit, economical and facile nature. Methods based on spectrophotometry, Raman Spectroscopy, IR and FTIR Spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), fluorescence spectroscopy, chemiluminescence, mass spectroscopy, molecular emission cavity analysis (MECA), electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometry (EPR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) have been reviewed. The basic principle, detection limits, detection range, RSD%, sample throughput/h, advantages and disadvantages have been discussed.

Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots as Fluorescent Probes for Sensitive and Selective Detection of Nitrite

Nitrites are the upstream precursors of the carcinogenic nitrosamines, which are widely found in the natural environment and many food products. It is important to develop a simple and sensitive sensor for detecting nitrites. In this work, a fluorescence probe based on nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) was developed for the sensitive and selective determination of nitrites. At pH 2, the fluorescence of N-CQDs can be selectively quenched by nitrite due to the fact N-nitroso compounds can be formed in the reaction of amide groups with nitrous acid, which results in fluorescence static quenching. Under optimal conditions, fluorescence intensity quenching upon addition of nitrite gives a satisfactory linear relationship covering the linear range of 0.2-20 μM, and the limit of detection (LOD) is 40 nM. Moreover, this method has been successfully applied to the determination of nitrites in tap water, which indicates its great potential for monitoring of nitrites in environmental samples.

Path to Impact for Autonomous Field Deployable Chemical Sensors: A Case Study of in Situ Nitrite Sensors

Natural freshwater systems have been severely affected by excess loading of macronutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus) from fertilizers, fossil fuels, and human and livestock waste. In the USA, impacts to drinking water quality, biogeochemical cycles, and aquatic ecosystems are estimated to cost US$210 billion annually. Field-deployable nutrient sensors (FDS) offer potential to support research and resource management efforts by acquiring higher resolution data than are currently supported by expensive conventional sampling methods. Following nearly 40 years of research and development, FDS instruments are now starting to penetrate commercial markets. However, instrument uncertainty factors (high cost, reliability, accuracy, and precision) are key drivers impeding the uptake of FDS by the majority of users. Using nitrite sensors as a case study, we review the trends, opportunities, and challenges in producing and implementing FDS from a perspective of innovation and impact. We characterize the user community and consumer needs, identify trends in research approaches, tabulate state-of-the-art examples and specifications, and discuss data life cycle considerations. With further development of FDS through prototyping and testing in real-world applications, these tools can deliver information for protecting and restoring natural waters, enhancing process control for industrial operations and water treatment, and providing novel research insights.

Methods for the detection and determination of nitrite and nitrate: A review

Various techniques for the determination of nitrite and/or nitrate developed during the past 15 years were reviewed in this article. 169 references were covered. The detection principles and analytical parameters such as matrix, detection limits and detection range of each method were tabulated. The advantages and disadvantages of various methods were evaluated. In comparison to other methods, spectrofluorimetric methods have become more attractive due to its facility availability, high sensitivity and selectivity, low limits of detection and low-cost.

Synthesis and study of novel pH-independent fluorescent mitochondrial labels based on Rhodamine B

Several Rhodamine B derivatives based on a tri-substituted pyrimidine core were prepared using solid-phase chemistry. Some derivatives exhibited fluorescence also at high pH and showed significant mitochondrial localization.

Spectrophotometric determination of nitrite in soil and water using cefixime and central composite design

The present paper seeks to develop a simple method for the spectrophotometric determination of nitrite in soil and water samples and also measure optimum reaction conditions along with other analytical parameters. The method is based on the diazotization-coupling reaction of nitrite with cefixime and 1-naphthylamine in an acidic solution (Griess reaction). The final product that is an azo dye has an orange color with maximum absorption at 360 nm which Beer's Law is obeyed over the concentration range 0.02-15.00 mg L(-1) of nitrite. Optimal conditions of the variables affecting the reaction were obtained by central composite design (CCD). A detection limit of 4.3×10(-3) mg L(-1) was obtained for determination of nitrite by the proposed method. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine nitrite in soil and water samples. The molar absorptivity of the product of the reaction and RSD in determination of nitrite in real samples are 4.1×10(3) (L mol(-1) cm(-1)) and lower than 10%, respectively.

Facile synthesis of a class of aminochromene–aniliniumion conjugated far-red to near-infrared fluorescent dyes for bioimaging

An innovative class of aminochromene–aniliniumion conjugated far-red to near-infrared dyes, namely ACA, was developed.

A simple yet effective fluorescent probe for detecting and imaging mercury ions in cells

The mechanism of probes to Hg(ii) and images under UV lamp and daylight.

Spectrofluorimetric determination of trace nitrite with o-phenylenediamine enhanced by hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin

A simple and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the determination of nitrite in environmental and food samples. The method was based on the selective reaction of o-phenylenediamine with nitrite in acidic medium to form benzotriazole, which exhibited strong fluorescence at 568 nm with excitation at 420 nm in alkaline medium. The detection limit and sensitivity of the proposed method were improved by hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin through complexation. The linear calibration range for nitrite was 0.04-0.8 μg mL(-1) with a detection limit of 13.6 ng mL(-1) (S/N=3.29). The relative standard deviation for ten determinations of 0.1 and 0.4 μg mL(-1) nitrite were 1.38% and 2.01%, respectively. Twenty-eight coexistent ions were examined, and no serious interference for most of ions was observed. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of nitrite in the water, sausage and soil samples with recoveries of 95.5-108.5%. The results were in good agreement with the recommended AOAC method.

Optical control of calcium affinity in a spiroamido-rhodamine based calcium chelator

An optically controlled Ca(2+)-chelator 1 was developed to mimic natural calcium oscillations. Compound 1, a spiroamido-rhodamine derivative of 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA), underwent cycles of reversible transitions between a colorless closed state and a fluorescent open form. The closed-state exhibited a high affinity for Ca(2+) (K(d): 509 nM) with excellent selectivity over Mg(2+) (K(d): 19 mM). The open isomer had a 350-fold lower Ca(2+) affinity (K(d): 181 μM), while the Mg(2+) affinity was not significantly affected (K(d): 14 mM).

Highly selective and sensitive colorimetric probes for hypochlorite anion based on azo derivatives

Two oxime-based colorimetric probes for the hypochlorite anion (ClO(-)) have been rationally designed and synthesized on basis of the mechanism of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). Upon addition of ClO(-), the probes displayed around 20nm redshift in the absorption maximum, accompanied with the color change from orange to pink, which were attributed to the reaction of the oxime groups with ClO(-) to form aldehyde groups. The probes were highly selective for ClO(-) detection without the interference of other ions and oxidants.