Aggregates‐based fluorescence sensing technology for food hazard detection: Principles, improvement strategies, and applications

Abstract

Aggregates often exhibit modified or completely new properties compared with their molecular elements, making them an extraordinarily advantageous form of materials. The fluorescence signal change characteristics resulting from molecular aggregation endow aggregates with high sensitivity and broad applicability. In molecular aggregates, the photoluminescence properties at the molecular level can be annihilated or elevated, leading to aggregation‐causing quenching (ACQ) or aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) effects. This change in photoluminescence properties can be intelligently introduced in food hazard detection. Recognition units can combine with the aggregate‐based sensor by joining the aggregation process, endowing the sensor with the high specificity of analytes (such as mycotoxins, pathogens, and complex organic molecules). In this review, aggregation mechanisms, structural characteristics of fluorescent materials (including ACQ/AIE‐activated), and their applications in food hazard detection (with/without recognition units) are summarized. Because the design of aggregate‐based sensors may be influenced by the properties of their components, the sensing mechanisms of different fluorescent materials were described separately. Details of fluorescent materials, including conventional organic dyes, carbon nanomaterials, quantum dots, polymers and polymer‐based nanostructures and metal nanoclusters, and recognition units, such as aptamer, antibody, molecular imprinting, and host–guest recognition, are discussed. In addition, future trends of developing aggregate‐based fluorescence sensing technology in monitoring food hazards are also proposed.

Fluorometric and colorimetric dual-mode sensing of α-glucosidase based on aggregation-induced emission enhancement of AuNCs

“…25,26 This fluorescence signal variation characteristic originating from aggregation usually endows the aggregates with high sensitivity and broad chemical detection applicability. 27,28 To the best of our knowledge, multi-mode platforms with self-checking advantages for α-Glu activity determination based on AIEE of MNCs have rarely been developed.…”

3D-Printed Fluorescent Hydrogel Consisting of Conjugated Polymer and Biomacromolecule for Fast and Sensitive Detection of Cr(VI) in Vegetables

“…These limitations hinder their applications for onsite and instant detection. 13,14 Fluorescence sensing analysis is a new trace analysis technology developed to address these challenges. It has the advantages of high sensitivity, easy operation, abundant output signal, and imaging ability.…”

“…Although traditional detection techniques, including coupled plasma mass spectrometry, UV–visible spectrometry, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, are well-established, the operation and sample preparations for these sophisticated instruments are time-consuming and expensive. These limitations hinder their applications for on-site and instant detection. , Fluorescence sensing analysis is a new trace analysis technology developed to address these challenges. It has the advantages of high sensitivity, easy operation, abundant output signal, and imaging ability.…”

Construction of Aptamer-Molecularly-Imprinted Fluorescent Covalent Organic Framework and Its Collaborative Recognition of Diethylstilbestrol

“…Aptamers are recognition elements with multiple advantages such as easy functional modification, biocompatibility, wide application range, high affinity, etc. , Due to the respective advantages of MIPs and aptamers, many researchers have explored integrating MIPs with aptamers to build collaborative recognition systems, aiming to reduce the nonspecific binding of MIPs and protect aptamers by MIPs layers. The selectivity and affinity can be improved for the composite materials to the detection of the target substance, and the interference from complex matrix environments can also be reduced .…”