A ratiometric fluorescent probe for selective detection of hypochlorite (ClO) and gallium (III) (Ga) ions in environmental and food samples.

Hypochlorite (ClO) and gallium (Ⅲ) ions (Ga) have extensive applications in various human industries and daily activities. However, their inherent toxicity poses significant risks to environmental preservation and human well-being. Hence, the development of reliable and handy detection tools for ClO and Ga in the environment and food is crucial. In this study, a ratiometric fluorescent probe was prepared based on benzothiazolaldehyde and pyridine-2-carboxylic acid hydrazide, which exhibited exceptional performance characteristics for the selective detection of ClO and Ga. These features include high specificity, low detection limits (0.28 μM for ClO, 0.13 μM for Ga), mild pH conditions (pH 4-11 for ClO, pH 6-11 for Ga), fast response time (within 30 s), as well as versatile applicability across different matrices such as water, soil, food, and plant samples. Additionally, this probe can be used with a smartphone color recognition app. The probe offers a convenient and effective tool for the detection of ClO and Ga, demonstrating its potential application value in environmental monitoring and food safety.