A simple fluorescence quenching method for roxithromycin determination using CdTe quantum dots as probes

► CdTe quantum dots as a probe of fluorescence quenching method to determine roxithromycin at nanogram levels was developed. ► Reaction time, interfering substances on the fluorescence quenching, and mechanism of the interaction of CdTe QDs with roxithromycin were investigated. ► This method was applied for analysis of roxithromycin in capsules and tablets. ► Comparison with other reported methods, this method is not only sensitive, simple, but also reliable and suitable for application.