Composition comprising a fluorescent material comprising the mixture of one or more metal salts selected from the group consisting of metal oxides and metal hydroxides; one or more carbohydrate(s) selected from the group consisting of sugar and starch; and one or more organic acid(s), method of preparation comprising mixing the components in the presence of water and then drying, and use of the fluorescent material in paper, plastic, polymer, resin, and paint. The resultant papers, plastics, polymers, resins, and paint have whiteness and brightness due to the fluorescence.