Enzymatic detection of ethanol based on H2O2-sensitive quantum dots

A rapid and sensitive fluorometric method for the enzymatic detection of ethanol using CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) is proposed. The photoluminescence of QDs is sensitive to H 2 O 2 . This finding leads to a novel approach for the determination of ethanol using alcohol oxidase (AO x ) which, on oxidation of ethanol, produces H 2 O 2 . The method has higher sensitivity, wider analytical range (0.1–8 mmol/L), and a lower detection limit (0.05 mmol/L). The relationship between quenching of the photoluminescence of the QDs and the concentration of ethanol is linear.