Electrochemical sensing of monoterpene phenols in plant essential oils using a molecularly imprinted polymer dual-template sensor

Abstract

Monoterpene phenols are naturally occurring aromatic compounds found in plant essential oils, contributing to their distinct flavors, fragrances, and medicinal properties. Thymol and carvacrol, major constituents of thyme and oregano essential oils, have garnered significant attention due to their diverse biological activities. Here, we propose the development of a novel double template molecular imprinted electrochemical sensor (DT-MIP sensor) for the selective and simultaneous detection of thymol and carvacrol. The sensor's performance was optimized by varying the quantity of functional monomer, cross-linker, and template molecules during MIP synthesis. The DT-MIP sensor demonstrated superior recognition properties and high sensitivity, with detection limits of 0.11 μM for carvacrol and 0.24 μM for thymol. Selectivity tests confirmed minimal interference from potential interfering agents. GC-MS analysis validated the sensor's accuracy in detecting thymol and carvacrol concentrations in thyme and oregano essential oils. The simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and portability of the DT-MIP sensor offer promising applications in food quality control, environmental monitoring, and medical diagnostics.