Red-Emission Probe for Ratiometric Fluorescent Detection of Bisulfite and Its Application in Live Animals and Food Samples

Abstract

Key roles of bisulfite (HSO₃ ^-) in food quality assurance and human health necessitate a reliable analytical method for rapid, sensitive, and selective detection of HSO₃ ^-. Herein, a new red-emitting ratiometric fluorescence probe, <b>BIQ</b>, is reported for sensitive and selective detection of HSO₃ ^- in food samples and live animals. Probe <b>BIQ</b> recognizes HSO₃ ^- via a 1,4-nucleophilic addition reaction. As a result of this specific reaction, emission intensities at 625 and 475 nm are dramatically changed, allowing the detection of HSO₃ ^- in a ratiometric fluorescence model in an aqueous solution. The obvious changes of solution color from pink to transparent and fluorescence color from rose-red to cyan allow the detection of HSO₃ ^- by naked eyes. Furthermore, probe <b>BIQ</b> has fast response in color and fluorescence (<2 min), excellent selectivity, and a low detection limit (0.29 μM), which enables its application in HSO₃ ^- detection in food samples and live organisms. The practical applications of probe <b>BIQ</b> are then demonstrated by the visualization of HSO₃ ^- in live animals (zebrafish and nude mouse) as well as the determination of HSO₃ ^- in white wine and sugar.