Rapid detection of aspartame in beverages using a molecularly imprinted polymer-based fluorescence sensor

With growing concerns about aspartame safety in beverages, we present a novel fluorescent molecularly imprinted polymer (FMIP) sensor designed for rapid, low-cost aspartame detection. By strategically selecting functional monomers and cross-linkers, and optimizing polymerization conditions, the FMIP sensor achieved high specificity for aspartame with ultrafast response (10 min, faster than conventional methods). The sensor demonstrated a wide linear range (1-100 μM), low detection limit (0.68 μM), and exceptional practicality in beverage analysis, showing appropriate recoveries (89-103 %) and precision (RSD <4.5 %) in real samples. This work provides the first FMIP-based platform combining speed, sensitivity, and cost-effectiveness for on-site aspartame monitoring.