Detection and quantification of chloramphenicol in milk and honey using molecularly imprinted polymers: Canadian penny-based SERS nano-biosensor.

We integrated molecularly imprinted polymers with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (MIPs-SERS) to develop an innovative nano-biosensor for the determination of chloramphenicol (CAP) in milk and honey products. Template molecule (CAP), functional monomer (acrylamide), cross-linking agent (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate), initiator (2,2'-azobis(isobutyronitrile)), and porogen (methanol) were employed to form MIPs via "dummy" precipitation polymerization. Static and kinetic studies validated the specific selectivity of MIPs toward CAP over nonimprinted polymers (imprinting factor >4). Canadian penny-based silver nano-structure was synthesized as SERS-active substrate for determination of CAP in food matrices. Collected spectra were processed by principal component analysis to differentiate various concentrations of CAP in foods. Partial least squares regression models showed good prediction values (R > 0.9) of actual spiked contents (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5 ppm) of CAP in milk and honey. This developed nano-biosensor is low cost, requires little sample pretreatment, and can provide reliable detection of trace level of chemical hazards in food systems within a total of 15 min.