Abstract

Background: The approach for the determination of aminoimidazo-azaarenes (AIAs) is urgently required due to their mutagenic activity and potential carcinogenicity. For this purpose, a CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (CdSe/ZnS QDs)-embedded molecularly imprinted silica gel with high selectivity and sensitivity was successfully prepared and applied to analyze such target.

Methods: Herein, CdSe/ZnS QDs acted as the fluorescent probe, and molecularly imprinted silica gel as a recognition probe was synthesized on the surface of QDs via sol-gel method. 2- Aminobenzimidazole, which has a similar structure with AIAs, as well as low cost and low toxicity, was selected as the dummy template.

Results: The material has a high imprinting factor (IF=6.15); the linear range of CdSe/ZnS@MIP as a fluorescent sensing material for AIAs is 0.5-20.0 μg L^-1 with the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.25 μg L^-1 (3σ/s). Moreover, the fluorescent materials have been further applied to determine AIAs in beef floss and grilled fish fillet with satisfactory recoveries (82.8-110.8 %), and the relative standard deviation (RSD) is < 5.5%.

Conclusion: The proposed CdSe/ZnS QDs-embedded molecularly imprinted silica gel can be used to easily and selectively detect AIAs.

Keywords: Heterocyclic aromatic amines, fluorescence sensor, CdSe/ZnS quantum dots, molecularly imprinted silica gel, molecular imprinting, aminoimidazo-azaarenes.