A novel fluorometric determination of melamine using cucurbit[7]uril

Melamine is a toxic compound to both animals and human beings, and is connected to various diseases, such as kidney stones and bladder cancer. For the efficient detection of melamine, we have developed a novel sensitive cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) sensor with a detection limit at 0.20 μg mL⁻¹, and applied it to detect melamine in tainted milk. Fluorescence studies indicate that CB7 forms complex with melamine in a 1:1 mole ratio. The binding constant at various temperatures has been calculated and the interaction mechanism has been discussed based on molecular modeling result.