Multifunctional dual-channel fluorescent nanoprobe for visual fluorescence detection of pathogenic bacteria and excessive antibiotics in food safety

With the rapid development of animal husbandry, animal food safety issues are increasingly exposed. Detecting pathogenic bacteria and residual antibiotics in animal food is of great significance for the early detection and regulation of harmful substances that threaten food safety. However, developing a fluorescent sensor that can detect both pathogenic bacteria and antibiotics is challenging. In this study, an interesting dual-channel ratiometric nanoprobe (CDs-Eu) based on europium-functionalized carbon dots was developed to realize the visual detection of Bacillus anthracis marker (DPA) and tetracycline antibiotics (TC) in a water environment under different excitation channels. This method had high sensitivity, comprehensive response range, anti-interference ability, and visualization for detecting DPA and TC. Combined with intelligent phone color scanning applications, a portable agarose gel nanosensor was designed to achieve multicolor on-site assessment of DPA and TC. In addition, an advanced three-to-six logic gate analysis method was also developed, which was expected to achieve intelligent sensing of DPA and TC in food safety. •A dual-channel ratiometric nanoprobe based on europium and carbon dots.•Realization of TC and DPA visual sensing through two channels.•Combined application of gelled detection device and intelligent APP.