The detection of trace amounts of amines is essential to mitigate toxicity and health risks. Various chemical probes have been reported for the detection of amines, which are expensive, difficult to handle, and toxic. In this study, we have developed a bio-inspired fluorescent probe for ultra-level detection of amines in liquid solution. Diatoms, which are silicified algae were used strategically for the detection of aliphatic amines. The presence of an electron-deficient moiety in diatoms improves the ability of diatoms to detect electron-rich organic amines. When an organic amine binds to the pyrolyzed diatom, enhanced photoluminescence and a color change under UV irradiation were observed. Interestingly, fluorescence analysis revealed that the diatoms can selectively detect aliphatic amines with sensitivity up to the pM level, even in the presence of other volatile organic compounds. Among the given analytes, only the electron-rich aliphatic amines significantly enhanced the fluorescence intensity. In contrast, aromatic amines and other organic solvents did not exhibit a fluorescence signal for detection. In particular, ethylenediamine (EDA) contributes the most apparent enhancement effect, with a detection limit of 116 pM. Therefore, diatoms were proved it potential as a tool for monitoring toxic organic molecules.

痕量胺的检测对于减轻毒性和健康风险至关重要。已经报道了用于检测胺的各种化学探针，其昂贵，难于处理并且是有毒的。在这项研究中，我们开发了一种由生物启发的荧光探针，用于超水平检测液体溶液中的胺。硅藻是硅藻，被战略性地用于脂族胺的检测。硅藻中缺电子部分的存在提高了硅藻检测富含电子的有机胺的能力。当有机胺结合到热解硅藻上时，观察到增强的光致发光和在紫外线照射下的颜色变化。有趣的是，荧光分析表明硅藻可以选择性地检测脂族胺，其灵敏度高达pM，即使存在其他挥发性有机化合物。在给定的分析物中，只有富电子的脂肪胺显着增强了荧光强度。相反，芳族胺和其他有机溶剂没有显示出用于检测的荧光信号。尤其是乙二胺（EDA）发挥了最明显的增强作用，检测极限为116 pM。因此，硅藻被证明有潜力作为监测有毒有机分子的工具。检测限为116 pM。因此，硅藻被证明有潜力作为监测有毒有机分子的工具。检测限为116 pM。因此，硅藻被证明有潜力作为监测有毒有机分子的工具。