Luminescent molecularly imprinted polymer nanocomposites for emission intensity and lifetime rapid sensing of tenuazonic acid mycotoxin

Tenuazonic acid ((5S)-3-acetyl-5-[(2S)-butan-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-2-one, TeA) is a widespread Alternaria fungi mycotoxin in food produce. This toxin may be allergenic and provoke hay fever asthma. Therefore, rapid methods to selectively detect TeA are needed. With this aim, we have engineered novel trifunctional (red-luminescent, polymerizable, TeA-sensitive) ruthenium(II)-bipyridyl complex with 2,2?-biimidazole. Its peripheral N–H moieties recognize the enolate form of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds (including partially aqueous media. Such binding decreases luminescence intensity lifetime (0.2 ?s) Ru(II) probe. The probe also bears acrylate groups that allow radical copolymerization methacrylamide ethylene glycol dimethacrylate presence TeA, yield 9-nm thick luminescent molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) shells onto 200-nm silica cores. SiO2@Ru-MIP nanocomposite displays very fast response (<5 s) suitable for real-time detection TeA. No cross-sensitivity other common mycotoxins contain ?-hydroxycarbonyl moiety (alternariol, ?-zeranol, cyclopiazonic acid) observed. Detection limits 63.8 ?g L?1 75.2 under steady-state time-resolved detection, respectively, been measured without further optimization. use emission variations monitor levels target analyte has never reported MIP-based sensor.