Multiple fluorescence response behaviors towards antibiotics and bacteria based on a highly stable Cd-MOF

The abuse of antibiotics has triggered the rise of drug-resistance bacteria, which has seriously threatened public health globally. As a result, carrying out efficient and accurate antibiotic and bacteria identification are quite significant but challenge. Herein, an unprecedented Cd-MOF-based sensor, [CdL](n) [1, H2L = 4-(2-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl) isophthalic acid] with multiple fluorescence response behaviours towards antibiotics and bacteria was developed. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that 1 is a mesomeric 2D bilayer, which is comprised of two opposite chiral mono-layers, each assembled by left-handed or right-handed helixes. More interestingly, 1 represented multiplex detection capability towards antibiotics and bacteria through two detection behaviors: toward nitro-antibiotics and chlortetracycline (CTC) via fluorescent quenching, while toward Staphylococcus albus (S. albus) via fluorescent enhancement. Remarkably, 1 showed a low limit of detection (LOD, 47 CFU/mL) accompanied with specificity in the detection of S. albus compared to other bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. In addition, the LOD could reach to ppm level for nitro-antibiotics and CTC. Moreover, the practical application of 1 was further reinforced through the detection of nitro-antibiotics and CTC, as well as S. albus in fetal calf serum and river water.

Automated summary

The misuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria, posing a serious threat to global public health. Therefore, developing a sensor with multiple fluorescence response behaviors for efficient and accurate identification of antibiotics and bacteria is crucial, with low detection limits and high specificity.