Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. 
Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. What was issued?
The review maps how labs detect chromium ions fast and cheap with color and light signals. The authors cover Cr(III) and Cr(VI), list probe types, compare limits of detection, and show uses in food, water, and cells. They also list classic lab tools like ICP-MS, AAS, voltammetry, and ion chromatography, then show when screens with probes beat them on speed and cost. The review also cites key water caps: WHO sets 50 µg/L for total chromium and notes 0.1 mg/L for Cr(VI). The paper stresses speciation, since Cr(VI) drives risk, while Cr(III) often plays a trace role.
Who is affected?
Food makers, certifiers, contract labs, water plants, and local health teams all gain new test options. QA teams that watch grain, spices, fish, or process water can add fast screens. Regulators can use strips or plates for field triage, then send flags to a central lab. Sites with chrome plating, tanning, dyes, or old waste pits need tight Cr(VI) checks. Clinicians and tox teams can also use probes when they track Cr load in cells or serum.
Most important findings
The review draws a clear split: Cr(VI) brings high cancer and organ risk; Cr(III) brings far less risk and may act as a trace factor in some paths. So teams must speciate. The authors show many probe builds—rhodamine, pyrene, naphthalimide, BODIPY, dansyl, carbazole, MOFs, and carbon dots. Many probes hit low nM to μM limits, flip from OFF to ON in seconds, and often show naked-eye color shifts. Several strips and plates work in tap and river water. Some probes sense Cr(VI) direct; others reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and then read Cr(III), which still supports total chromium checks. The paper notes key caveats: pH can block or boost binding; inner-filter effects can quench signals; water content can kill some organic complexes; and big π-systems can hurt water solubility. For that, the authors point to fixes: mask Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ with simple agents, tune buffers to hold the valence state, and pair a fast screen with a confirm step by ICP-MS or IC-ICP-MS when results guide recalls or public notices. The review repeats core water caps (50 µg/L total chromium; 0.1 mg/L for Cr(VI)) to frame risk, and it shows test papers that switch from green to red or colorless to pink across those ranges.
Key implications
Food and water programs can add a tiered plan now. Use probe strips or plates at intake and on lines to detect spikes in rinse water, brine, or spice lots. Log any color or emission shifts and reject or hold the lot accordingly. Lock in speciation: screen for Cr(VI) first, then read total chromium; if Cr(VI) shows, confirm by ICP-MS. Write SOPs that control pH, light, and hold time to prevent sample state changes. Train staff to avoid steel tools that shed chromium. Certifiers can fold these screens into audits for high-risk goods and ask for Cr(VI) trend charts. Health teams can deploy strips for field sweeps near chrome plants, then send hits for confirm tests. All groups should drive ALARA for Cr(VI) while they track new probe kits that cut the time to result to minutes.
Citation
Liu, S., Zhang, L., Kim, H., Sun, J., & Yoon, J. (2024). Recent advances and challenges in monitoring chromium ions using fluorescent probes. Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 501, 215575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccr.2023.215575
