Abstract
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a widely used bleaching agent in food processing, and excessive intake of residual H2O2 can cause severe health risks to humans. Herein, a bifunctional gelatin film that combined H2O2 ratio fluorescence sensing and antibacterial capability was developed. Two functional units, aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-featured silica nanoprobe (TSN) with specific fluorescence response to H2O2 and europium-based complex Eu(AC)3OP with antibacterial activity, were co-doped into a gelatin matrix, with glycerol used as a plasticizer. The ratio fluorescence film was finally fabricated via intermolecular hydrogen bonding cross-linking, which exhibited sensitive, selective, and visual ratiometric detection of H2O2, with a detection limit as low as 23 μM. It also achieved outstanding antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with an inhibition rate up to 99%. This flexible film enables real-time monitoring of excessive residual H2O2 in chicken wings via adjacent placement. Moreover, the film exerts antibacterial activity on food surfaces to extend shelf life and maintain food quality. Furthermore, it can be naturally degraded in soil. Our work reveals that the proposed bifunctional film holds great promise in the fields of chemical analysis and food safety.