Abstract: Rapid and reliable determination of atrazine, a common chemical contaminant, in agri-foods is highly necessary. We reported a novel dual-chemosensor coupling, a separation [molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs)], an instrumental-free detection [gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-based colorimetric assay] and an instrument-based quantification [surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)] method for high-throughput and sensitive determination of atrazine in apple juice. Used as the selective sorbent for the solid phase extraction, MIPs effectively extracted atrazine from apple juice with high recoveries (~93%). AuNPs of different sizes (large; medium; and small) performed differently in the two analytical methods. Large-AuNPs provided the highest sensitivity in colorimetric analysis (<0.01 mg L-1), while medium-AuNPs achieved the lowest limit of detection (0.0012 mg L-1) and quantification (0.0040 mg L-1) in SERS analysis. With minor modifications, protocols for both analytical methods can rapidly detect and/or quantify atrazine in different food products complying with the Health Canada regulation (0.005 mg L-1)
Template and target information: atrazine
Author keywords: Molecularly imprinted polymers, Colorimetric assay, Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, chemosensor, atrazine, food safety