Monitoring of chlorsulfuron in biological fluids and water samples by molecular fluorescence using rhodamine B as fluorophore

•An alternative to traditional chlorsufuron (CS) monitoring methods is proposed.•An enhancement in fluorescent signal of RhB was evidenced in the presence of CS.•The methodology was applied to biological fluids and water samples.•The use of non-polluting solvents preserves the analyst and the environment.•This work represents an important contribution at green chemistry.

A new simple methodology is proposed for chlorsufuron (CS) traces quantification based upon enhancement of rhodamine B (RhB) fluorescent signal. Experimental variables that influence fluorimetric sensitivity have been studied and optimized. The zeroth order regression calibration was linear from 0.866 to 35.800 µg L−1 CS, with a correlation coefficient of 0.99. At optimal experimental conditions, a limit of detection of 0.259 µg L−1 and a limit of quantification of 0.866 µg L−1 were obtained. The method showed good sensitivity and adequate selectivity and was applied to the determination of trace amounts of CS in plasma, serum and water samples with satisfactory results analyzed by ANOVA test. The proposed methodology represents an alternative to traditional chromatographic techniques for CS monitoring in complex samples, using an accessible instrument in control laboratories.

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