Determination of malachite green residues in fish using a highly sensitive electrochemiluminescence method combined with molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction

An electrochemiluminescence (ECL) inhibition method combined with molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction (MISPE) was developed for quantitative determination of malachite green (MG) residues in fish. It was found that MG could strongly inhibit the ECL signal of luminol. Under the optimized conditions, the quenched ECL intensity versus the logarithm of the concentration of MG was in good linear relationship over a concentration range from 20 to 5000 ppt. The method detection limit was found to be about 6 ppt. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were synthesized as solid phase extraction (SPE) sorbents, and MISPE was used for the selective extraction and purification of MG. By carrying out the oxidation reaction with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ), which could convert leucomalachite green (LMG) into MG, this method was successfully applied to determine MG residues in fish. A possible mechanism for the quenching effects of MG on luminol was also proposed.