Molecularly imprinted polyphenylboronic acid/carboxylated graphene-based electrochemical sensor for ultrasensitive detection of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol in soy sauces

3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) is a common contaminant generated during the heating process of foods. Because of the potential carcinogenic and toxic effects, measuring 3-MCPD is greatly significant to guarantee food security. Here, we developed a molecularly imprinted polyphenylboronic acid/carboxylated graphene (MIPPBA/CG)-based electrochemical sensor to determine 3-MCPD. The MIPPBA/CG composites were prepared by in-situ electrochemical deposition, and CG and MIPPBA were respectively used for electrical signal amplification and specific recognition of 3-MCPD. 3-MCPD was tested by square wave voltammetry utilizing the potassium ferricyanide probe. Under the optimal experimental conditions, our results showed that this sensor had the advantages of simplicity, rapidity, wide response range (1.0 × 10 −12 –1.0 × 10 −3  M), low detection limit (1.4 × 10 −13  M), good reproducibility, excellent stability, and high selectivity, and could detect the 3-MCPD content in different soy sauce samples with satisfactory results, which provided a promising approach for testing the food processing contaminant.