New fluorescent probe for sensing of mefenamic acid in aqueous medium: An integrated experimental and theoretical analysis

Abnormal levels of mefenamic acid (MFA) in living organisms can result in hepatic necrosis, liver, and gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, development of accurate and effective method for detection of MFA is of great significance for the protection of public health. Herein, we designed a stilbene based sensor ECO for the sensitive and selective detection of mefenamic acid by employing fluorescence spectroscopy for the first time. The developed sensor ECO displayed fluorescence turn-off response towards MFA based on PET (photoinduced electron transfer) and hydrogen bonding. The sensing mechanism of MFA was investigated through 1H NMR titration experiment and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The presence of non-covalent interaction was confirmed through spectroscopic analysis and was further supported by non-covalent interaction (NCI) analysis and Bader's quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) analysis. Additionally, the sensor ECO coated test strips were fabricated for on-site detection of mefenamic acid. Furthermore, the practical applicability of sensor ECO to detect MFA was also explored in human blood and artificial urine samples.

Automated summary

An ECO sensor based on stilbene was designed for the sensitive and selective detection of mefenamic acid using fluorescence spectroscopy for the first time. The sensor ECO exhibited fluorescence turn-off response toward MFA due to PET and hydrogen bonding. The sensing mechanism of MFA was investigated through 1H NMR titration experiment and DFT calculations, confirming the presence of non-covalent interaction.