Melamine in whole milk was determined using a novel molecularly imprinted polymers-surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic (MIPs-SERS) biosensor. MIPs were synthesized by bulk polymerization of melamine (template), methacrylic acid (functional monomer), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (cross-linking agent) and 2,2’-azobisisobutyronitrile (initiator). Static and kinetic adsorption tests validated the use of MIPs to efficiently separate and concentrate melamine from whole milk. Silver dendrite nanostructure served as SERS-active substrate for signal collection. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis segregated Raman signatures of milk samples with different melamine concentrations, establishing the limit of detection of 0.005 mmol L-1. Regression models showed a good linear relationship (R2= 0.98) between the height of melamine SERS band (at 703 cm-1) and melamine concentrations ranging from 0.005 to 0.05 mmol L-1, confirming the feasibility to accurately quantify melamine in whole milk. Simple sample pretreatment reduced the total analysis time to determine melamine in whole milk to less than 20 min.

Detection and quantification of melamine in dairy products using molecularly-imprinted polymers-surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic biosensors

249th National Meeting (2015)

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