A Fluorescent Probe for Convenient Visual Detection of Glyphosate Contamination in Water, Soil, and Vegetable Samples

Glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, has raised significant environmental and health concerns due to its persistence in food and environmental matrices. Accurate and sensitive detection methods are essential for monitoring glyphosate contamination and ensuring safety. In this study, a fluorescent probe (DSG-Cu[II]) has been developed for the sensitive and selective detection and monitoring of glyphosate. The fluorophore for making the probe is synthesized through the reaction between dansyl chloride and glycine, forming the fluorophore (DSG) capable of binding copper ions (Cu[II]). The resulting DSG-Cu[II] complex functions via an "off-on" fluorescence mechanism, wherein glyphosate competitively displaces Cu[II], restoring fluorescence. This approach demonstrates high sensitivity and rapid response, with a detection limit of 35 nM and a response time of 30 s. Furthermore, DSG-Cu[II] was successfully applied in real sample analysis, confirming its practical applicability. Additionally, test strips incorporating DSG-Cu[II] enabled visual detection, highlighting its potential for on-site monitoring. This study presents an efficient, selective, and rapid fluorescence-based method for glyphosate detection, contributing to improved environmental and food safety monitoring.