Rapid and sensitive detection of foodborne pathogens is crucial for public health. Inspired by firefly lanterns, we innovatively introduced aggregation-induced emission (AIE) enhanced gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) fluorescent microspheres that offer enhanced fluorescence and stability against environmental interference as fluorescence probes for sensitive pathogen detection. These microspheres, designated as DMSN@AuNCs@SiO₂ (DAS), are engineered by encapsulating AuNCs within dendritic mesoporous silica microspheres, protected by a silica shell. This design ensures the stability of the AuNCs, akin to a firefly lantern protecting its light from environmental interference. Utilizing this concept, we developed a rapid and sensitive fluorescence immunoassay paired with immunomagnetic beads that demonstrates a remarkable sensitivity, with a limit of detection of 3 CFU mL⁻¹ for Salmonella Typhimurium, and a broader linear range from 10 to 10⁶ CFU mL⁻¹, and a high selectivity against other foodborne pathogens. Real sample analysis in complex food samples shows accurate results, with recoveries ranging from 92.96 % to 107.08 %. Our study pioneers the use of AIE-enhanced AuNCs in a firefly lantern-like microsphere design, offering a promising tool for sensitive and specific pathogen detection with applications in food safety and environmental monitoring.

中文翻译：

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受萤火虫灯笼启发的 AIE 增强型金纳米簇微球用于食源性病原菌的超灵敏检测


快速、灵敏地检测食源性病原体对公共卫生至关重要。受萤火虫灯的启发，我们创新性地推出了聚集诱导发射 （AIE） 增强型金纳米簇 （AuNCs） 荧光微球，作为敏感病原体检测的荧光探针，可提供增强的荧光和抗环境干扰的稳定性。这些微球被称为 DMSN@AuNCs@SiO₂ （DAS），是通过将 AuNC 封装在树突状介孔二氧化硅微球中，并由二氧化硅壳保护而设计的。这种设计确保了 AuNC 的稳定性，类似于萤火虫灯保护其光线免受环境干扰。利用这一概念，我们开发了一种与免疫磁珠配对的快速灵敏的荧光免疫测定法，表现出卓越的灵敏度，对鼠伤寒沙门氏菌的检测限为 3 CFU ^mL-1，线性范围更宽，从 10 到 10⁶ CFU ^mL-1，对其他食源性病原体具有高选择性。复杂食品样品中的真实样品分析显示准确的结果，回收率从 92.96 % 到 107.08 % 不等。我们的研究率先在类似萤火虫灯笼的微球设计中使用 AIE 增强的 AuNCs，为灵敏和特异性病原体检测提供了一种有前途的工具，可应用于食品安全和环境监测。