Enhanced molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensing of L-Tyrosine using PEDOT-CH2NH2/Ti3C2TX/Au NPs: A strategy for food quality control

L-Tyrosine (L-Tyr) is one of the 21 essential amino acids for the human body. Its accurate detection is of great clinical and practical significance in monitoring, food quality and safety. Functional groups critically govern electrochemical sensor performance by mediating target adsorption. Conventional poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)-based sensors face limited flexibility and active site accessibility. Amino-grafted PEDOT was developed by in situ growth on Ti 3 C 2 T X nanosheets, incorporating small-sized Au nanoparticles to create a highly conductive and active substrate for selective detection of L-Tyr. The resulting molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor, fabricated on the PEDOT-CH 2 NH 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T X /Au NPs/GCE platform, exhibited enhanced catalytic activity and efficient L-Tyr enrichment. The combination of components improved electron transfer, MIP stability, and imprinting cavity accessibility. The sensor demonstrated a broad linear range (10 −6 –100 μM) with an ultralow detection limit (3.64 × 10 −6  μM), and exhibited excellent selectivity, reproducibility, and operational stability. Practical tests in milk matrices confirmed high recovery rates (96.65 %–101.35 %), showcasing its potential for use in complex food systems and it also has detection capabilities similar to those of standard methods. This work provides a sensitive and reliable strategy for amino acid monitoring in food, with significant applications in food safety assurance.