Detection of Melamine and Urea in Milk and Milk Products Using Graphene/Gold Nano-Composite

Abstract

Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Department, Helwan University, Helwan, EG 11790, Egypt(Received: 16 August 2014. Accepted: 4 November 2014)According to the reports of Indian Council of Medicine milk adulteration has led to series of healthproblemlike kidneyfailureand even death in many cases. Here we reporta rapid and simple methodfor detection of melamine and urea. Melamine and urea are chemical compounds. Melamine isused productionof melamine resins which have potentialapplicationsin laminates, glues, adhesivesand plastics while urea is being used in fertilizers and many other chemical industries. Both thecompounds are nitrogen rich and are frequently added to milk and milk products and also in theinfant feeds. Excess addition of melamine and urea is fatal and can lead to death. Here we reportthe procedure to detect melamine and using functionalized graphene-gold nano-composite. Initiallygraphene oxide was synthesized using Hummer’s method while graphene-gold nano-compositewas synthesized by borohydride reduction of Graphene oxide, Choloauric acid mixture. Detectionof melamine was supported by TEM, Raman Spectroscopy.