Overcoming interferences in the colorimetric and fluorimetric detection of γ-hydroxybutyrate in spiked beverages

The high frequency of drug‐facilitated sexual assaults (DFSA) and other criminal acts perpetrated by the adulteration of drinking water or other beverages with γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) compels researchers to develop spot tests for its rapid detection, on site, by the broad public. We report a BODIPY-metal complex ( 1·Fe 3+ ) as a simple colorimetric and fluorimetric indicator based on a ligand displacement design for the sensitive determination of GHB. Assays were developed to detect the presence of GHB in the complex matrices of a broad range of spiked alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The complex enables rapid qualitative spot tests and quantitative assays, and works in both solution and practical solid-state indicator strips. The high frequency of drug‐facilitated sexual assaults (DFSA) and other criminal acts perpetrated by the adulteration of drinking water or other beverages with γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) compels researchers to develop spot tests for its rapid detection, on site, by the broad public. We report a BODIPY-metal complex ( 1·Fe 3+ ) as a simple colorimetric and fluorimetric indicator based on a ligand displacement design for the sensitive determination of GHB. Assays were developed to detect the presence of GHB in the complex matrices of a broad range of spiked alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The complex enables rapid qualitative spot tests and quantitative assays, and works in both solution and practical solid-state indicator strips. • A simple colorimetric and fluorimetric indicator 1·Fe 3+ for the rapid detection of GHB is developed. • The assay is simple, fast (<5 s), and highly sensitive (LOD = 0.25 μg/mL (absorption) and 0.01 μg/mL (emission)) for GHB. • The assay exhibits high-contrast color and fluorescence responses for GHB in various alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. • Low-cost polymeric test-strips made from 1·Fe 3+ confer the assay further simplicity as a portable field test kit for GHB.