Implantable Fiber Sensor for Continuous Monitoring of Light-Regulated Ascorbic Acid Dynamics
Abstract
Understanding how light dynamically regulates ascorbic acid (AA) levels is essential for improving crop nutritional quality. However, the dynamic regulation of AA by light in vivo remains unclear, since conventional methods rely on destructive sampling and only provide static data. To address this, we develop an implantable fiber sensor functionalized with a dual-atomic nanozyme for minimally invasive, long-term tracking of AA in living plants. The implantable fiber sensor integrates a hierarchical nanobio interface composed of a Co–Fe dual-atomic nanozyme (CoFe-DAzyme) and an antifouling hydrogel, achieving a detection limit of 0.081 μM in plant bleeding sap and remaining functional for up to 7 days postimplantation. Employing this sensor in lettuce, we uncover rapid, light-dependent AA fluctuations, directly revealing how dynamic light environments fine-tune this key nutritional metabolite. Our work not only establishes a versatile sensing platform but also provides direct mechanistic insight into the light-regulated improvement of crop nutritional quality.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Analytical Chemistry and Sensors
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
Hydrogels: synthesis
properties
applications
Publication details
- Journal / source
- ACS Nano
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 15
- Pages
- 11624–11636
- Publication date
- 6 April 2026
- Language
- EN