Recent advances in molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for visual recognition and inhibition of α-dicarbonyl compound-mediated Maillard reaction products

• Published in: Food chemistry 2024-07, Vol.446, p.138839-138839, Article 138839
• Main Authors: He, Jingbo, Wang, Lei, Liu, Huilin, Sun, Baoguo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Food safety; Maillard reaction products; Molecularly imprinted polymers; Nanosensors; Visualization; α-Dicarbonyl compounds
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.138839

[Display omitted] •The construction of fluorescent molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are reviewed.•Application of fluorescent MIPs in the detection of Maillard reaction products.•Analyzed the recognition mechanism of fluorescent MIPs for hazards in food.•Prospects and challenges of visual MIPs for the detection of hazards are discussed. α-Dicarbonyl compounds (α-DCs) are important intermediates and precursors of harmful Maillard reaction products (e.g., acrylamide and late glycosylation end-products), and they exist widely in thermoprocessed sugar- or fat-rich foods. α-DCs and their end-products are prone to accumulation in the human body and lead to the development of various chronic diseases. Therefore, detection of α-DCs and their associated hazards in food samples is crucial. This paper reviews the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) enabling visual intelligent responses and the strategies for recognition and capture of α-DCs and their associated hazards, and provides a comprehensive summary of the development of visual MIPs, including integration strategies and applications with real food samples. The visual signal responses as well as the mechanisms for hazard recognition and capture are highlighted. Current challenges and prospects for visual MIPs with advanced applications in food, agricultural and environmental samples are also discussed. This review will open new horizons regarding visual MIPs for recognition and inhibition of hazards in food safety.