A research team led by Professor JIANG Changlong from the Institute of Solid State Physics, the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has successfully developed an innovative multi-scenario real-time fluorescence detection technology to tackle this problem. The team designed and fabricated a sensor by embedding upconversion optical probes into three-dimensional porous hydrogels. This sensor, integrated with the color recognition functionality of a smartphone, allows rapid and on-site detection of methylglyoxal.
"That means that in the future your phone can help save the flavor of your wine and keep an eye on your health," said KANG Xiaohui, a member of the team.
Their research findings have been published in Analytical Chemistry.
Methylglyoxal is a dicarbonyl compound found in both wine fermentation and human metabolism. In wine, excessive methylglyoxal can lead to off-flavors like astringency, while in humans, high levels increase the risk of diabetes. Therefore, developing real-time, reliable methods to monitor its concentration is important for both wine quality and diabetes management. Three-dimensional hydrogels are known for their stretchability and biocompatibility. However, many fluorescent hydrogels are prone to interference from autofluorescence and background noise, limiting their effectiveness in biological applications.
In this study, upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) were used, offering the advantage of eliminating background fluorescence interference, which greatly improves the sensitivity of detection.
The research team's hydrogel sensor is based on a probe made from UCNPs and modified eosin B (mEB), which works through a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) mechanism. When methylglyoxal reacts with mEB, the upconversion fluorescence shifts from red to green, allowing precise detection. The probe was embedded into a hydrogel, and 3D printing technology was utilized to create a portable and reversible fluorescent hydrogel sensor.
The results demonstrated that the detection limits (LOD) of the upconversion fluorescent probe and the hydrogel sensor were 59 nM and 75.4 nM, respectively.
This sensing patch offers an innovative and effective solution for flavor standardization in wine production and for health monitoring in diabetes patients, according to the team.
Figure 1. Design and fabrication of the hydrogel sensing patch based on upconversion probes and its sensing response mechanism. (Image by KANG Xiaohui)
Figure 2. Reversible detection of methylglyoxal using the hydrogel sensing patch. (Image by KANG Xiaohui)
