Receptor-Based Fluorescence Polarization Assay to Detect Phthalate Esters in Chinese Spirits

This work developed a fluorescence polarization (FP) assay for detection of phthalate esters (PAEs) in Chinese spirits. A mouse-derived recombinant peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α ligand binding domain (mPPARα-LBD*) and a fluorescent-labeled fatty acid (C4-BODIPY-C9) were employed as recognition element and fluorescent tracer, respectively, providing the limits of detection (LODs) below 11.2 μM for the 10 PAEs tested in buffer. Chinese spirits spiked with DEHP and DBP could be positively detected in combination with simple pretreatment, with recoveries ranging from 76.9 to 87.0 % and with coefficients of variation below 10 %. Additionally, the mechanisms of mPPARα-LBD* binding to PAEs were investigated by using molecular simulation approach. The results suggested that the proposed method was reliable for monitoring PAEs in Chinese spirits.