Triazole-based Zn2+-specific molecular marker for fluorescence bioimaging

•Triazole-based Zn2+-specific molecular marker for fluorescence bioimaging.•Yellow emissive Zn2+-specific cell permeable molecular marker.•Fluorescence imaging of intracellular zinc (in vitro studies).•Imaging of translocation of zinc through the stem of Peperomia pellucida.•In vivo fluorescence imaging of zinc in Gram seed sprouts.•Probe-Zn2+ ensemble detects phosphate-based biomolecules and pesticide.

Fluorescence bioimaging potential, both in vitro and in vivo, of a yellow emissive triazole-based molecular marker has been investigated and demonstrated. Three different kinds of cells, viz Bacillus thuringiensis, Candida albicans, and Techoma stans pollen grains were used to investigate the intracellular zinc imaging potential of 1 (in vitro studies). Fluorescence imaging of translocation of zinc through the stem of small herb, Peperomia pellucida, having transparent stem proved in vivo bioimaging capability of 1. This approach will enable in screening cell permeability and biostability of a newly developed probe. Similarly, the current method for detection and localization of zinc in Gram seed sprouts could be an easy and potential alternative of the existing analytical methods to investigate the efficiency of various strategies applied for increasing zinc-content in cereal crops. The probe-zinc ensemble has efficiently been applied for detecting phosphate-based biomolecules.

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