A visualization-enhanced electrochemical sensing system with mobile data transmission for rapid 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol detection.

Food contaminated with 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) represents a significant global public health concern. In this study, a portable molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor (MIECS) integrated with a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone application was developed for real-time 3-MCPD detection and data visualization. The sensor utilizes chitosan-based molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for selective recognition, coupled with carbon dots (CDs) to enhance electrochemical response. Optimal synthesis conditions included 0.4 % chitosan, a 1:3 (v) template-to-monomer ratio, 35 % glutaraldehyde, and 300-s deposition time. The MIECS demonstrated a linear range of 1.00 × 10-1.00 × 10 mol/L, with a detection limit of 1.8 × 10 mol/L for 3-MCPD concentrations. Validation in drinking water and soy sauce samples yielded recovery rates of 80.63 %-127.00 %. Electrochemical signal analysis was performed using a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone application, facilitating rapid and intelligent 3-MCPD detection. The proposed MIECS exhibited high selectivity, stability, and cost-effectiveness, making it a promising tool for food safety monitoring.