Colorimetric/naked eye detection of arsenic ions in aqueous medium by mango flower extract: A facile and novel approach

Laboratory-based instrumental methods are usually employed to detect arsenic with detection limit of 1 ppb. However, such detection methods are complex, difficult to operate, and expensive. Herein, a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and colorimetric/naked-eye detection technique for trace amount of arsenic present in water utilizing mango flower (Mangifera indica) extract (MFE) has been described. To the best of our knowledge, mango flower extract has been used for the first time for arsenic detection in water. The MFE was characterized using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to determine its chemical composition. Detailed characterization and numerical analysis (Gaussian09 program) indicated that 3-hydroxy flavone and mangiferin present in MFE could be useful in detecting arsenic in natural water. The detection efficiency and selectivity of MFF towards several metal ion solutions at concentration of 1.0 mg l⁻¹ was performed. It has been found that MFE was able to identify arsenic ions in various water samples with detection limit of ~200 ppb and linear range from ~200 to 2000 ppb at optimum conditions. Results of this study demonstrate that MFE could be useful to detect arsenic in groundwater without any significant installations.