A silicon nanoparticle based turn off fluorescent sensor for sudan I

Abstract

Sudan dyes are synthetic colorants which were extensively used in food products before being banned due to their carcinogenic effect on living systems. To regulate their use and to ensure food quality, simple and cost effective methods need to be developed for their determination. A turn off fluorescence sensor based on hexadecylamine capped silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) has been developed for the quantification of sudan I. The fluorescence of Si NPs was effectively quenched by sudan I via an inner filter effect (IFE). Under optimum conditions, this method can be used for the quantification of sudan I within the concentration range of 2.91 × 10⁻⁵ to 4.97 × 10⁻⁷ M with a detection limit of 3.90 × 10⁻⁸ M. The developed sensor was successfully applied for the determination of sudan I in chilli powder samples.