Quantitative image analysis method for detection of nitrite with cyanine dye-NaYF4:Yb,Tm@NaYF4 upconversion nanoparticles composite luminescent probe

•Cyanine Dye-NaYF4:Yb,Tm@NaYF4 upconversion luminescent probe was prepared.•An upconversion luminescence total internal reflection image platform was developed.•A quantitative image analysis method for nitrite detection was fabricated.•The method is fast response, low sample consumption and powerful data support.•The method was applied for nitrite analysis in environmental water and food samples.