Non-enzymatic colorimetric sensing of nitrite in fortified meat using functionalized drug mediated manganese dioxide

Nitrite and nitrate salts are important additives for processed meat products and their extreme uptake present acknowledged toxicity. Drug-mediated synthesis of manganese dioxide nanoparticles (MnO 2 NPs) for the colorimetric detection of nitrite is being reported. Augmentin (Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid) drug was selected because of aromaticity and functionalities in its structure. Alongside the synthesis of MnO 2 NPs, the sensing properties of the nanoparticles are enhanced through increased electron density from augmentin drug. Carboxylic acid having characteristic properties of conductivity (presence of carbonyl and hydroxyl group) was used as a coating material on the surface of MnO 2 NPs to further increase the sensing properties. The characteristic peaks assigned to MnO 2 NPs were confirmed through XRD, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy. SEM image demonstrate round-shaped morphology and EDX observed a strong peak of the prepared MnO 2 NPs. The maximum degradation of the prepared NPs was confirmed through TGA. The acetic acid capped MnO 2 NPs were employed in nitrite sensing. Reaction conditions such as; (a) amount of capped MnO 2 NPs (b) pH (c) time were optimized to get the best out of the proposed sensor. Colorimetric change from blackish to colorless occurs with a response time of only 8 min. The proposed sensor is capable to detect nitrite with a wide linear range of 1 × 10 −8 - 3.6 × 10 −6 M, a low detection limit of 1.04 × 10 −7 M, and a limit of quantification 3.47 × 10 −7 M with R 2 of 0.999. The assembly of acetic acid-capped MnO 2 NPs exhibits no reactivity towards Mg 2+ , Cu 2+ , K + , Ni 2+ , Pb 2+ , and Ca 2+ , etc, and is used to determine nitrite in Bacon chicken meat products. • Augmentin was used as a reducing and stabilizing agent for MnO 2 NPs synthesis. • To enhance conductivity MnO 2 NPs were functionalized with acetic acid. • Non-enzymatic nitrite colorimetric sensor was fabricated from synthesized material. • The sensor was employed for the detection of nitrite in sausage meat. • The sensor gave excellent sensitivity, selectivity, and low limit of detection.