A novel multiplex sensor for enhanced detection and quantification of ternary milk adulterants
摘要
Milk adulteration has rapidly become a widespread issue due to profit motives purposes but posing significant risks to human health. In this study, we developed a promising electrostatic interaction-based synergistic sensor to address this issue. A core–shell Cu@Ag-thio nanocomposite was synthesized via chemical reduction process and characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The experimental parameters, including adsorbate and adsorbent dose, pH and temperature were optimized to evaluate the sensor ability to detect urea, melamine, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and formalin. The nanocomposite demonstrated a maximum detection efficiency of 85% for BHA and 80% for melamine. The limits of detection (LOD) for BHA, melamine, urea, and formalin were found to be 10 ppm, 11 ppm, 13 ppm, and 13 ppm, respectively, while the limits of quantification (LOQ) were 31 ppm, 35 ppm, 44 ppm, and 43 ppm. Spiked study of each adulterant performed that have percent recoveries of 85%, 80%, 64%, and 72% for BHA, melamine, urea, and formalin, respectively. Recycling experiments indicated that the nanocomposite can be reused but with a slight compromise in sensing efficiency.
Graphical abstract