Fluorescence paper-based sensor for visual detection of carbamate pesticides in food based on CdTe quantum dot and nano ZnTPyP.

• A direct and effective method for the carbamate pesticides detection was developed. • The LODs of our methods are comparable with traditional chromatographic techniques. • Our methods have high sensitivity and selectivity, even in complex food matrices. • Carbamate pesticides detection could be achieved within 5 min by paper sensors. The needing of rapid and sensitive detection method for pesticides is increasing, to facilitate its detection without complicated instruments. Herein, a novel paper-based senor was developed for the visual detection of three carbamate pesticides (metolcarb, carbofuran, and carbaryl) based on CdTe quantum dots (QDs) and nano zinc 5, 10, 15, 20-tetra(4-pyridyl)-21 H -23 H -porphine (nano ZnTPyP) with a "turn-off-on" mode. This fluorescence sensing model could be applied in the highly selective and sensitive detection of carbamate pesticides both by fluorescence spectrometry or paper-based sensors. Based on the extracted RGB color values of paper, the partial least squares regression (PLSR) was used to accurately quantify the concentrations of carbamate pesticides in different food matrices (apple, cabbage and tea water). This method featured in high speed, low price and high accuracy, and provided a new strategy for the detection of food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]