Schiff base complex/TiO2 chemosensor for visual detection of food freshness level

[Display omitted] •Histamine fluorescence sensor based on Schiff base Zn(II) complex/TiO2 was developed.•The limit of detection of the developed sensor was 2.53 × 10−10 M.•Sensor probe displayed high selectivity towards histamine over other amines.•Sensor probe was successfully applied to detect histamine in salmon fillet. Histamine is one of the important biomarkers for food spoilage in the food sectors. In the present study, a rapid and simple analytical tool has been developed to detect histamine as an indirect strategy to monitor food freshness level. Optical histamine sensor with carboxyl-substituted Schiff base zinc(II) complex with hydroxypropoxy side chain deposited onto titanium dioxide nanoparticles was fabricated and was found to respond successfully to histamine. The Schiff base zinc(II) complex-histamine binding generated an enhancement of the fluorescent signal. Under the optimal reaction condition, the developed sensor can detect down to 2.53 × 10−10 M in the range of between 1.0 × 10−9 and 1.0 × 10−5 M (R2 = 0.9868). Selectivity performance of the sensor towards histamine over other amines was confirmed. The sensor also displayed good reproducibility performances with low relative standard deviation values (1.45%–4.95%). Shelf-life studies suggested that the developed sensor remains stable after 60 days in histamine detection. More importantly, the proposed sensor has been successfully applied to determine histamine in salmon fillet with good recoveries. This strategy has a promising potential in the food quality assurance sectors, especially in controlling the food safety for healthy consumption among consumers.