World's first fluorescent sensor developed to detect date rape drug

Researchers have developed the world's first fluorescent sensor to identify the presence of a drug known as GHB that is commonly used to spike beverages.

When the sensor developed by a team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) is mixed with a sample of a beverage containing gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, the mixture changes color in less than 30 seconds, making detection of the drug fast and easy.

The discovery, led by Professor Chang Young-Tae of the Department of Chemistry at the NUS Faculty of Science, is a novel scientific breakthrough that contributes towards prevention of drug-facilitated sexual assault problems.

The findings were published in the journal Chemical Communications.