Electrochemical Detection of Synthetic Vanillin Using a Strontium Pyrophosphate Nanorod-Modified Electrode

Synthetic vanillin (VLN) is extensively utilized as a flavoring agent in the food and pharmaceutical industries, raising health concerns due to its synthetic origin and widespread consumption. Strontium phosphate (Sr₂P₂O₇) has been a desirable electrode modifier in recent years due to its distinct structural and electrochemical characteristics. Due to its stability, efficacy, and electrocatalytic capabilities, Sr₂P₂O₇ has emerged as a competent electrocatalytic material. This study presents the fabrication and application of a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) modified with Sr₂P₂O₇ nanorods as a sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor for VLN detection. Sr₂P₂O₇ nanorods were synthesized via a sonochemical approach and thoroughly characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques to confirm their structural and functional properties. Quantification of VLN was achieved using a sensitive amperometric (i-t) technique, yielding a lower detection limit of 0.52 nM and a wide linear detection range of 0.001-726.8 μM. Additionally, real-sample analyses in food samples exhibited recovery rates (±98.00-99.66%), underscoring the platform's practical applicability for monitoring synthetic VLN in real-world conditions. This work highlights the potential of Sr₂P₂O₇-modified SPCEs as reliable tools for food safety applications, offering a cost-effective, disposable solution for synthetic vanillin detection.