Dual recognition ratio fluorescence-based sensor for sensitive detection of adenosine

The development of adenosine (AD) assays with high selectivity and sensitivity is of great importance for the early diagnosis of clinical diseases. In this study, we have engineered a straightforward, rapid, and highly sensitive ratiometric fluorescence sensor (BA-EuMOFs@MIP) capable of dual recognition of AD. The strategy employed here combines boronic acid-functionalized lanthanide metal–organic framework (BA-EuMOFs) with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). In this scheme, BA-EuMOFs serve a dual purpose: they offer a stable and sensitive biometric fluorescence identification signal for BA-EuMOFs@MIP and induce changes in the fluorescence signal by identifying AD through the affinity of boric acid for cis-diol. Moreover, MIPs provide non-covalently imprinted recognition sites for AD recognition, giving the sensor satisfactory binding and selectivity to AD. Subsequently, we examined the principle of fluorescence changes, which can be attributed to fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). More importantly, the BA-EuMOFs@MIP sensor demonstrates a wide linear range (1–50 mg/L) and sensitive detection limit (0.26 mg/L) for AD. Finally, we used the sensor to detect AD in real samples and obtained satisfactory recoveries (96.11–101.79%). This approach not only provides a simple, fast and sensitive sensing platform for AD detection but also shows great potential for early diagnosis of AD-related diseases.