Study on visual multicolor intelligent detection of tetracycline antibiotics in various environmental samples by palygorskite-based fluorescent nano-probe

Tetracycline is abused in animal husbandry due to the role of animal growth hormone, which causes serious pollution to the natural environment and is more likely to enter the human body through the food chain, thus causing harm to human health. Therefore, the detection of tetracycline is particularly important. At present, there are many problems in the detection of tetracycline, such as high cost, low sensitivity and narrow detection range. This research mainly introduces a new fluorescent nano-probe Atta-Eu-FITC based on palygorskite to realize the detection of tetracycline in environmental samples. The nano-probe has the advantages of high sensitivity (detection limit 19 nM), wide detection range (detection linear range 0–25 μM), high visualization and strong anti-interference ability. To improve the portability and practicability of the detection, a portable fluorescent test paper and a low background fluorescent agarose gel detection platform were prepared to realize the fast sensing of tetracycline. Combined with the smartphone chroma analysis application (App), the real-time and on-site detection of tetracycline can be realized. Furthermore, the fluorescent nano-probe can also be applied for TC sensing in practical complex samples with good anti-interference ability and accuracy. Fluorescent palygorskite and rare earth integrated nano-probe displayed fast detection of tetracycline in a variety of practical complex samples [Display omitted] •Attapulgite and europium hybrid fluorescent nanoprobe was prepared successfully.•This nanoprobe displayed colorful visual sensing of TC.•Rapid detection of TC in fruits surface was realized by agarose gelated gloves.•Smartphone image processing technology was used for inspection of TC.