Electrochemiluminescent properties of carbon nitride nanoflowers and their application to the detection of melatonin in foods

Carbon nitride nanoflower materials (CNNFs) modified electrodes were prepared and used as electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensors for the sensitive detection of melatonin (MT) in food. The luminescence intensity of CNNFs is increased by 4.6 times compared with bulk g-C3N4. In addition, the effect of dissolved oxygen on the material was eliminated, and the stability of ECL intensity of CNNFs was improved. Under the optimal experimental conditions, there is a good linear relationship between the ECL intensity ratio and logCMT in a concentration range of 2.0 × 10−11–1.0 × 10−6 mol/L, and the detection limit is 6.2 × 10−13 mol/L. This experiment has been successfully used for the detection of MT in rice, black rice, oats, apples, bananas, grapes, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, bread, and beers. The results are consistent with those obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Therefore, this sensor is a sensitive and effective method for detecting MT content in food.