A ratiometric fluorescent probe based on sulfur quantum dots and calcium ion for sensitive and visual detection of doxycycline in food

The residue of doxycycline in food can cause harm to human. Therefore, the detection of doxycycline residue is necessary. Herein, a ratiometric fluorescent probe was designed based on sulfur quantum dots (S dots) and Ca2+. Due to static quenching and inter filter effect between doxycycline and S dots, doxycycline quenched fluorescence of S dots at 450 nm. Meanwhile, doxycycline and Ca2+ formed fluorescent complex through coordination to produce new peak at 520 nm. The ratio of fluorescence intensity (F520/F450) and doxycycline concentration showed good linear relationship with detection limit of 0.19 μM. The fluorescence color of S dots/Ca2+ changed from blue to light green with increasing doxycycline concentration, which was applied for visual semi-quantitative detection of doxycycline. Moreover, the method was used for detecting doxycycline in milk and fish samples with recoveries in the range of 91%-110%. The method showed good application potential in detection of doxycycline in food samples.