A simple fluorescence pyrocatechol–polyethyleneimine detection method for 3-MCPD

A rapid fluorescence detection method was established for 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD). The detection system works based on the fluorescence quenching of pyrocatechol–polyethyleneimine (PCh–PEI) polymer by 3-MCPD. The fluorescence quenching ability of 3-MCPD for PCh–PEI polymer was measured at different pH and temperatures. Indeed, in the presence of 3-MCPD, the fluorescence intensity of PCh–PEI polymer solution was quenched best at 100 °C and pH 8.5. Also, the effect of different concentrations of 3-MCPD on the optical properties of the PCh–PEI polymer was examined. Under optimal experimental conditions, fluorescence detection was linear in a range of 0.08–2.0 mg per L 3-MCPD, with a calculated detection limit of 0.06 mg L−1 and a correlation coefficient of 0.9974. Concisely, the reported method has good sensitivity and can be used for the rapid detection of 3-MCPD contamination in food products.