Colorimetric detection of benzoate in the beverage using the peroxidase-like properties of single-atom Fe-N-C nanozymes

Overuse of benzoate as a preservative is bad for human health. Therefore, we need to achieve quantitative detection of benzoate. Colorimetric nanozyme sensors have garnered significant interest owing to their exceptional efficacy and affordability. In this article, Fe-N-C dodecahedral nanozymes with superior peroxidase-like catalytic activity are prepared using ZIF-8 as a precursor. Therefore, we construct a colorimetric sensor for benzoate detection with a detection limit of 0.33 μM through integrating the inhibitory impact of benzoate on D-amino acid oxidase activity with the Fe-N-C-catalyzed 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB)–HO system, and this reaction is completed within 10 min. It is noteworthy that a recovery rate of 96.8–109 % has been attained for the detection of benzoate in beverages.