A prompt technique to identify fluoroquinolone antibiotics (FQs) residue in the environments.

The widely used fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotics have become emerging contaminants due to their unconstrained usage. A prompt, straightforward, précised, and advanced technique named fluorescence spectroscopy was applied to characterize and semi-quantify FQs. However, excitation wavelengths on the comparable ranges of FQs and ubiquitous humic substance (HS) complicate their identification in the mixture. This study develops a simple spectral technique that affirms the individual identification of FQs and HS in the natural environment. The following characteristics and methods can demonstrate the traces of FQs in the environment-•Presence of fluorophore at Excitation/Emission = 225-230/285-295 nm wavelength in excitation-emission matrix (EEM) and parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) models.•FQs and HS have fluorophores at excitation wavelengths of 275 nm and 325 nm in PARAFAC analysis. Unlike HS, the notable spectral presence in <350 nm emission during 275 nm excitation in FQs ensures their distinct identification in the mixture.•FQ affirming component intensity at Excitation/Emission = 225-230/285-295 nm and the intensity <350 nm emission during 275 nm excitation are considered in conjunction to quantify the amount of least FQ in any environmental sample.