A novel colorimetric fluorescent probe for sensing bisulfite detection in plant and zebrafish.

Sulfur dioxide (SO) and its derivatives (SO and HSO), are important active sulfur species that play significant roles in physiological processes. Fluorescence probe imaging technology, due to its high temporal and spatial resolution, real-time non-invasive and non-destructive detection, has emerged as a valuable tool for studying SO in biological systems. In this study, we presented a colorimetric fluorescent probe for the detection of HSO. The structure of probe TPN-BP consists of a triphenylamine group and a benzopyrylium group that are connected by a vinyl double bond. The benzopyrylium group in probe TPN-BP, which carries a positive charge, serves two important functions: enhancing water solubility, allowing for its effective use in fully aqueous environments, and acting as a fluorescence quencher for the triphenylamine group. Upon interaction with HSO, probe TPN-BP exhibited significantly increase in fluorescence at 480 nm, causing the solution to change from blue to colorless. Spectral experiments showed that probe TPN-BP showed quick response time (10 s), high sensitivity (12.7 nM), and excellent selectivity towards HSO. It is worth noting that probe TPN-BP has been successfully used for fluorescence imaging and detection of HSO in plants and zebrafish. The results of this study indicated that probe TPN-BP can be used as a promising tool for the research and monitoring of SO in living organisms.