Hypochlorous acid-activated near-infrared fluorescent probe for in vivo/exogenous detection and dairy toxicity evaluation

Oxidative stress has been reported to be closely associated with many diseases, and an excessive overdose of hypochlorite (ClO⁻) can also induce stress-related diseases. In this study, we designed and synthesized a NIR probe, named W-1a based on computational analysis of DCM (4-(Dicyanomethylene)-2-methyl-6-(4-dimethylaminostyryl)-4H-pyran) derivatives for specific detection of ClO⁻. The probe exhibited dual fluorescence and colorimetric sensing with a response time of <1 min and a detection limit of 0.15 μM. Additionally, the probe was successfully applied for fluorescence imaging of ClO⁻ at the cellular level and ebrafish endogenous/exogenous ClO⁻ assay and dairy toxicity assessment. Thus, we present a potential method for developing an efficient and reliable detection of ClO⁻ in early stage using near-infrared dyes.