A novel polymeric fluorescence sensor based on acrylated citric acid for detection of melamine adulteration: Application in milk powder

Melamine selective acrylate citric acid (ACA) based polymeric membrane sensor was prepared by radical polymerization method and the sensor was characterized. The sensor showed a selective fluorescent response to melamine (lambda(ex)/lambda(em) = 388/425 nm). The sensor response is linear in the concentration range of 3.96 x 10(-9) to 7.93 x 10(-8) mol L-1, the optimum pH value is 6.0 and response time is less than 1 min. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were calculated as 2.32 x 10(-10) mol L-1 and as 7.74 x 10(-10) mol L-1, respectively. The sensor showed great selectivity towards melamine in the presence of a large number of molecules and ions. The performance of sensor was also confirmed by determining of melamine in milk powder sample and the results were compared with HPLC results and acceptable results were obtained. As a conclusion, the results revealed that the proposed sensor is an interesting alternative for melamine determination.

Automated summary

A selective acrylate citric acid-based polymeric membrane sensor for melamine was prepared and characterized. The sensor showed a fluorescent response to melamine and exhibited high selectivity towards melamine in the presence of other molecules and ions. The sensor's performance was validated by determining melamine in milk powder samples.