Design of Saccharide Recognition Material Based on Boronic Acid Fluorophore/Cyclodextrin Gel

Saccharides play vital roles in regulating birth, immunity, and differentiation. In nature, these saccharides were recognized by lectin. However, lectins are easily denatured by environmental changes, so artificial chemical sensors are highly desired. Herein, we developed boronic acid fluorescent probe (B-Nap-C4) for saccharide recognition. B-Nap-C4/cyclodextrin (CyD) complex gel was prepared and evaluated the saccharide recognition function. B-Nap-C4/b-CyD gel could recognize lower concentration of saccharides by comparison with B-Nap-C4/b-CyD solution. B-Nap-C4/b-CyD gel selectively adsorbed fructose and showed fluorescence emission. The gel could capture and condense fructose from saccharide solution. Thus a trace amount of fructose can be selectively detected by fluorescence intensity changes of the gel. Also, the B-Nap-C4/b-CyD gel was found to be recycled for saccharide adsorption in water.