Water-soluble fluorescent probe for specific detection of SO2 derivatives in food and cells

Abstract

SO2, the fourth endogenous gaseous signaling molecule, plays an important role in cells. Besides, SO2 derivatives are used as preservatives in food and drinks. To understand the level of SO2 derivatives in body and food, we developed a FRET-based fluorescent probe CPO. CPO had high energy transfer efficiency and high selectivity toward SO2 derivatives. It could fast respond toward SO2 derivatives in an aqueous solution (3 min) and possessed a low detection limit (68 nM). Furthermore, the SO2 derivatives in tap water, sugar, vermicelli and cells were detected by probe CPO. In addition, probe CPO had a high colocalization coefficient (0.95) for lipid droplets.