Chemical speciation of methylmercury and mercury(II) cations in fish by new fluorogenic naphthalimide alkynyl gold complexes: The ultimate test for detecting fish contamination.

The proof of concept of a new portable protocol for the detection and speciation of methylmercury and mercury(II) cations in fish samples is described. In this way, traces of methylmercury and/or mercury(II) cations in fish were quantitatively detected using an elaborated protocol and including a fluorescent sensor. In-the-field accurate results were obtained due to the selective behavior of the chemical sensor in the presence of both cations, working at very low concentrations of mercury species in fish under standard laboratory conditions, that are suitable for daily use in ordinary sampling by border companies importing fish or remote laboratories where large devices cannot be carried. The reported fish protocol is useful under real-life conditions for analyzing fish for the presence of methylmercury in contrast to total mercury analysis. The combination of the protocol and the fluorescent reporter constitutes the ultimate test for fish contamination by mercury(II) species in the workplace. The reported limits of detection of 0.72 nM for Hg2+ and 1.62 nM for CH 3 Hg+ and the closely related values of the two mercury(II) species in fish samples, obtained by ICP-MS analysis and fluorescent measurements, make the method suitable for daily control of methylmercury in fish under the EU legislation parameters and the WHO recommendations. [Display omitted] A unique protocol for the detection and chemical speciation of methylmercury and mercury(II) traces in fish samples. A fluorescent reporter with extreme sensitivity and selectivity for mercury(II) species. A collection of new alkynyl gold complexes useful under real conditions for mercury(II) speciation. A complete description of the mechanism underlying the transmetallation in the presence of mercury(II) species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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