Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of a Medicinal Herb Mesua ferrea L

Natural waters (oceans rivers ponds lakes etc.) serve as sinks for increasing level of Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere due to the existence of vital ionic equilibrium between ambient CO2 and carbonate anions (HCO3 and CO32-) in water. The HCO3/CO32- concentration in water is vital for aquatic life and distribution of flora and fauna. Thus a rapid accurate and reliable monitoring basis for the analysis of water soluble HCO3/CO32- content is important. In this regard molecular recognition chemistry brings in highly valuable single molecule analytical tools in the form of novel synthetic molecules “receptors” for an easy rapid and naked-eye recognition. Such approaches provide a cost-effective means of analysis contrary to the bulky and traditional instrumentation besides providing an on-site signaling. In this work we have reviewed the whole literature regarding development of molecular receptors for the detection of water soluble inorganic Carbonate/Bicarbonate (CO32-/HCO3-). Some of the crucial design considerations such as choice of fluorophore/chromophore and mechanistic aspects are momentarily discussed.