Development of a colorimetric and turn-on fluorescent probe with large Stokes shift for H2S detection and its multiple applications in environmental, food analysis and biological imaging

A new colorimetric and turn-on fluorescent probe NPC-H2S with a large Stokes shift (227 nm) was designed and synthesized for the detection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in environmental, food analysis and biological imaging. NPC-H2S was strategically constructed by employing a new corrole derivate (NPC-OH) as the fluorophore and a benzenesulfonyl group (DNBS) as the identification moiety and fluorescence quencher. NPC-H2S displays high selectivity and sensitivity for H2S over various analytes with fluorescent off-on ultra-fast recognition (10 s), a low limit of detection (61 nM), and a naked-eye colorimetric change from green to yellow. Importantly, NPC-H2S has been successfully applied for the detection of H2S in the actual water samples and monitoring the spoilage of food samples such as chicken, beef, pork, fish, cracked egg and full egg, as well as for fluorescent bioimaging of H2S in living cells and zebrafish.

Automated summary

A new colorimetric and turn-on fluorescent probe NPC-H2S with a large Stokes shift was designed and synthesized for the detection of hydrogen sulfide. The probe displayed high selectivity and sensitivity, ultra-fast recognition, low limit of detection, and a visible colorimetric change. It was successfully applied for the detection of H2S in water and food samples, as well as for fluorescent bioimaging of H2S in living cells and zebrafish.