Fluorescent filter paper with pH-responsive carbon dots for the on-site detection of biogenic amines in food

Abstract

As a kind of organic basic compound containing nitrogen, biogenic amine is released from food spoilage and considered as an indicator for monitoring food freshness. Herein, an excellent dual-emission ratiometric fluorescent sensor for eight kinds of biogenic amines was established via the facile mixing of pH-responsive carbon dots and Rhodamine B. The developed sensor shows a rapid response (10 s), low limit of detection (0.733–3.943 μM) and a wide linear range (0–150 μM). More importantly, a portable fluorescent filter paper was prepared by simple dispersing the filter paper in a solution mixture of carbon dots and Rhodamine B. The obtained fluorescent filter paper based sensor showed an obvious color change in the presence of biogenic amine vapor derived from shrimp and mushroom. The results revealed that this sensor could realize the on-site and visual detection of biogenic amines in real food samples, making it suitable for potential application in food safety monitoring.