Targeted detection of herbicide mesotrione in food samples via functionalized carbon black-supported NiMnMoO4 nanocomposite

Background Mesotrione (MTE), a triketone herbicide widely applied for post-emergence weed control, poses concerns due to its persistence and potential residue accumulation in edible products. These risks necessitate rapid, sensitive, and reliable analytical strategies for food safety monitoring. Methods An efficient electrochemical sensor was developed using a functionalized carbon black-supported nickel manganese molybdate nanocomposite (NiMnMO 4 /f-CB) modified glassy carbon electrode (NMM/f-CB/GCE). The synergistic integration of ternary NMM with conductive f-CB provided abundant active sites, accelerated charge transport, and enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward MTE reduction. Structural and surface characterization confirmed the effective fabrication and homogeneous distribution of the composite on the electrode surface. Findings Under optimized conditions, the sensor exhibited a wide linear response range (0.01–816 μM) with an ultralow detection limit of 1.2 nM, demonstrating excellent sensitivity for trace-level monitoring. The electrode showed consistent operational performance, reproducibility, and durable storage stability. It also displayed satisfactory selectivity in the presence of typical interfering substances. Real-sample analyses in tomato juice, corn kernels, and sugarcane juice yielded accurate recoveries, confirming the sensor’s practical applicability for food safety assurance.