A MIP-based low-cost electrochemical sensor for 2-furaldehyde detection in beverages

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Food Science

Background:

• Increasing demand for rapid, cost-effective methods to quantify furanic compounds in food.
• Furanic compounds, like 2-furaldehyde (2-FAL), are naturally present in aqueous food matrices.
• Existing methods for furanic compound detection can be time-consuming and expensive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel sensor for the in situ detection of 2-furaldehyde (2-FAL).
• To utilize a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) with electrochemical transduction for selective analyte adsorption.
• To establish a fast, low-cost, and reusable method for furanic compound analysis in food and beverages.

Main Methods:

• Development of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for 2-furaldehyde (2-FAL) recognition.
• Fabrication of a screen-printed cell (SPC) with MIP layer formed via in situ polymerization.
• Electrochemical detection using Square Wave Voltammetry (SWV).
• Optimization of sensor performance using chemometric approaches (Design of Experiments).

Main Results:

• The MIP-based sensor demonstrated selective adsorption and electrochemical detection of 2-FAL.
• The sensor showed good adherence and reusability.
• Optimized conditions yielded a dynamic detection range from 50 μM to 20 mM in aqueous solutions and white wine.
• Dose-response followed Langmuir adsorption isotherm, with sensitivity improved by chemometric optimization.

Conclusions:

• A novel, reusable electrochemical sensor based on MIP for 2-FAL detection has been successfully developed.
• The sensor provides a fast, low-cost, and in situ method suitable for analyzing furanic compounds in food and beverages.
• The developed sensor shows promise for routine quality control and safety assessment in the food industry.