Highly selective optical nitrite sensor for food analysis based on Lauth’s violet–triacetyl cellulose membrane film

A new sensor has been developed for the determination of nitrite based on the immobilisation of Lauth’s violet on triacetyl cellulose membrane using absorption spectrophotometry. The optical sensor signal is based on the reaction of Lauth’s violet with bromate as an oxidant in the presence of nitrite to produce a colourless product. Nitrite has a strong catalytic effect on the oxidation of Lauth’s violet with bromate in acidic media. The difference in the absorbance of the optode at 617 nm between uncatalysed and catalysed reactions (ΔA) was directly proportional to the concentration of nitrite in sample solution. A linear calibration curve (r2 = 0.985) was observed in the nitrite concentration range of 10.12–1012 ng mL−1 and a detection limit of 8.3 ng mL−1 was found.