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A Fluorescence Probe for Tartrazine Detection in Foodstuff Samples Based on Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer

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Abstract

In this work, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between tartrazine and 3-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole-capped gold nanoclusters (TRO-AuNCs) was investigated and subsequently utilized for the determination of tartrazine (TZ) in foodstuff samples. The TRO-AuNCs which exhibit strong fluorescence emission were synthesized by a simple one-pot procedure. Upon addition of TZ, the fluorescence of TRO-AuNCs could be efficiently quenched, attributing to the FRET between TZ and TRO-AuNCs. Parameters affecting the detection of TZ were investigated including pH, amount of TRO-AuNCs, temperature, and reaction time. Under the optimized experimental conditions, trace amounts of TZ could be determined based on the reduction in the fluorescence intensity of TRO-AuNCs. A linear relationship was established at concentrations ranging from 0.08 to 37.5 μM, and the limit of detection (LOD) at 28 nM was achieved with the method. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of TZ in juice and honey samples purchased from a local supermarket. Excellent recoveries at 92.0∼105.2 % and precision (RSD 1.14∼2.84 %) were attained, respectively, which confirmed the great potential of 3-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole-stabilized gold nanoclusters toward practical measurement of tartrazine in foodstuff samples.

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Acknowledgments

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21277109) and the Program for Young Scientific and Technological Innovative Research Team in Sichuan Province (2014TD0020).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemical Synthesis and Pollution Control Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, China West Normal University, Nanchong, 637000, China

    Xiupei Yang, Na Luo, Zhijing Tan & Zhihui Jia

  2. Exposure and Biomonitoring Division, Health Canada, 50 Colombine Driveway, Ottawa, K1A 0K9, Canada

    Xiangjun Liao

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  1. Xiupei Yang
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  2. Na Luo
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  3. Zhijing Tan
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  4. Zhihui Jia
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Correspondence to Xiupei Yang or Xiangjun Liao.

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Xiupei Yang declares that he has no conflict of interest. Na Luo declares that she has no conflict of interest. Zhijing Tan declares that she has no conflict of interest. Zhihui Jia declares that she has no conflict of interest. Xiangjun Liao declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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Yang, X., Luo, N., Tan, Z. et al. A Fluorescence Probe for Tartrazine Detection in Foodstuff Samples Based on Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer. Food Anal. Methods 10, 1308–1316 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12161-016-0691-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12161-016-0691-3

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