Luminescent metal–organic framework (MOF) sensors for sensitive determination of nicotine in breast milk

Abstract

Breastfeeding is essential for the healthy development and growth of infants, fostering a strong bond between mother and child. Exposure to nicotine through maternal smoking represents a significant risk to the health of both. This study proposes the quantification and monitoring of nicotine by molecular fluorescence in breast milk samples from mothers who smoke and who are passive smokers at different stages of lactation. A metal–organic network (MOF) was synthesized and characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy and molecular luminescence. The enhancement effect of the luminescence signal at λ_em = 611 nm could be correlated with nicotine concentration in the 38.5–8.95 × 10³ ng L⁻¹ concentration range. Experimental variables that influence nicotine quantification were studied and deeply optimized. The study was conducted on samples from 10 mothers, subdivided into three groups: smokers, passive smokers and negative controls. In order to minimize the contamination risk, manual extraction was used as the collection method. The nicotine concentrations found show a close relationship with the degree of addiction and the variety of tobacco consumed. The proposed methodology constitutes a cost-effective alternative to the standard techniques used to determine nicotine and represents a valuable contribution in the area of maternal health.