A Green, Economic “Switch-On” Sensor for Cefixime Analysis Based on Black Soya Bean Carbon Quantum Dots

Abstract

Background Cefixime is a third-generation oral cephalosporin antibiotic widely used to treat bacterial infections. Typical methods for cefixime analysis use expensive instruments or sophisticated experimental procedures, and thus a sensitive and practical method is urgently needed for cefixime detection and analysis. Objective To develop a sensitive and robust cefixime “switch-on” sensor based on carbon quantum dots (CQDs). Methods In this study, black soya beans were used as an inexpensive carbon source for a “green” synthesis of fluorescent black soya bean (BS)-carbon quantum dots (CQDs). The fluorescence of these particles could be efficiently quenched by Ce(IV)due to the ground state recombination and electron transfer (ET) between Ce(IV)and BS-CQDs. In the presence of cefixime, the ET was interrupted and the fluorescent signal was recovered. Results/Conclusions This method showed high sensitivity and an impressively low detection limit of 169 nM. Highlights This low-cost, simple strategy for cefixime detection exhibits excellent stability, selectivity, and sensitivity. Moreover, it was successfully applied for the detection of cefixime in tablets and in a complex biological environment, confirming its great potential utility for drug analysis, biological process research, and clinical research.

Advances in carbon quantum dot technology for food safety: preparation, modification, applications and mechanisms

“…Ru Fan et al [75] also used the mechanism of redox reaction between ascorbic acid and Fe 3+ to prepare CQDs for the detection of ascorbic acid using waste cardamom. Zhang et al [76] prepared CQDs by hydrothermal method using black soybean as raw material, and the fluorescence of CQDs was quenched due to the electron transfer (ET) effect between CQDs and Ce 4+ . Cefixime can effectively block the ET effect between CQDs and Ce 4+ , resulting in the recovery of fluorescence and the detection of the antibiotic cefixime, and then realize the 'on-off-on' of fluorescence.…”

Application Progress of Green Carbon Dots in Analysis and Detection

“…With the addition of MIP, the site has higher selectivity for quercetin due to specific binding, so the rapid and sensitive detection of quercetin can be realized through the dual modification of ZIF-8 and MIP Table 4 summaries the application in other organic small molecules in the last three years. [156][157][158][159][160][161][162][163][164][165]…”

Microwave-Assisted Grafting of Coal onto Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Dots with a High Quantum Yield and Enhanced Photoluminescence Properties

“…In particular, the fluorescence quantum yield of most fluorescent carbon quantum dots is usually less than 50%, which is relatively low compared to conventional semiconductor quantum dots. Particularly noteworthy among the available carbon sources is coal for its distinctive and appealing superiority [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ].…”