A novel colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent probe for selective detection of bisulfite in real samples and living cells

An abnormal level of bisulfite can induce toxicological effects associated with lung cancer, cardiovascular and neurological disorders. Therefore, it is of significance to develop an effective fluorescent probe to detect bisulfite in living cells. Herein, a novel fluorescent probe QPCT, based on a 1,4-addition mechanism, was constructed for the colorimetric and ratiometric detection of bisulfite. QPCT displayed high selectivity and anti-interference ability to bisulfite over other anions and biothiols. The probe renders a sensitive ratiometric response to bisulfite with a remarkable fluorescence blue shift from 590 to 537 nm and the fluorescence ratio was linear with bisulfite concentration over the range of 0-120 mu M. More importantly, QPCT has been successfully applied to detect bisulfite in sugars and living A549 cells, which indicated that QPCT had a great capability for monitoring bisulfite in complex systems.