Recent advances in optical sensing for tetracycline antibiotics

Tetracycline antibiotics (TCs) are pivotal in clinical medicine and animal husbandry due to their broad-spectrum sterilization properties. However, their overuse has led to mounting concerns, including antibiotic resistance, mammalian hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, posing significant threats to ecological environments and human health. In response to these challenges, developing rapid and sensitive sensing detection methods for TCs is imperative. This review provides a comprehensive overview of optical sensors for the determination of TCs, leveraging either the inherent features of TCs or their interactions with nanomaterials. The discussed sensing modalities include colorimetry, fluorescence, chemiluminescence, electrochemiluminescence, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, and surface plasmon resonance. This review also addresses current challenges and provides insights into future perspectives in the realm of optical sensing for TCs. Recent advancements in optical sensors for tetracyclines are presented, with a particular focus on colorimetric and fluorescent modes. Sensing strategies, signaling mechanisms, and performance metrics of these sensors are highlighted. [Display omitted] •Recent advancements in optical sensors for tetracyclines are presented.•The detection strategies and performance metrices of these sensors are highlighted.•Regulations concerning the maximum residue limits of tetracyclines are summarized.•Challenges and future research directions in tetracyclines' sensing are discussed.