High-performance fluorescence platform for real-time non-destructive and visual screening of meat freshness

Meat freshness is a worldwide concern associated with food safety and human health. To determine the meat freshness on-site, herein, we present an ultrasensitive fluorescent platform based on 8-Cl-BODIPY (Cl-BDP) for monitoring the typical biomarker biogenic amines (BAs) during the spoilage of meat. Cl-BDP underwent a sequential nucleophilic addition-elimination process to generate a blue fluorescence emitting product, affording a ratiometric fluorescence response from green to blue. This probe has outstanding sensing performance including excellent specificity, high sensitivity, low detection limit (LOD = 5.1 nM) and a quick response. Furthermore, Cl-BDP was fabricated into flexible and portable sensing platform to screen BAs vapor with a noticeable fluorescence change from green to blue. The sensing platform is capable of non-destructively monitoring meat freshness in real time and is easily visualized by the unaided eye.