Visual detection of melamine in raw milk using gold nanoparticles as colorimetric probe

We report the development of a simple and rapid colorimetric detection method for melamine in raw milk using gold nanoparticles as probe. This assay relies upon the distance-dependent optical properties of gold nanoparticles. In neutral media, melamine could rapidly induce the aggregation of gold nanoparticles, thereby resulting in red-to-blue (or purple) colour change. The concentration of melamine in raw milk can be determined by monitoring with the naked eye or a UV–vis spectrometer. The present limit of detection for melamine is 0.4 mg/L. The method is rather simple, and the whole process including sample pretreatment takes only 12 min at room temperature. The merits (such as simplicity, rapidity, low cost and visual colorimetry) make the proposed method specially useful for on-site screening melamine levels well below the current safety limit in raw milk.