A colorimetric and fluorescent lighting-up sensor based on ICT coupled with PET for rapid, specific and sensitive detection of nitrite in food.

An anthracene carboxyimide derivative was synthesized as a colorimetric and fluorogenic sensor to determine NO2- with a rapid response (<4 min), excellent selectivity and a low detection limit (84 nM). Paper strips containing the sensor were applied to visually determine the NO2- content in food.