Abstract

The monitoring of phytoestrogen levels in food is essential for ensuring food safety; however, the low concentrations and complex matrices pose significant technical challenges. In this study, covalent triazine based organic polymers (TCOPs) was innovatively synthesized in situ on the surface of a steel substrate (TCOPs-S). These novel TCOPs-S were utilized as adsorbents for solid-phase microextraction and ionization sources in ambient mass spectrometry, enabling the rapid detection of phytoestrogens. The newly developed steel substrate spray-mass spectrometry (SS-MS) method offers highly sensitive detection of phytoestrogens, with limits of detection (LODs) ranging from 0.50 to 0.75?μg/kg, and demonstrates satisfactory recoveries (84.08–109.15?%). The TCOPs exhibit increased nitrogen content and enhanced porosity, thereby facilitating hydrogen bond interactions with hydroxy-containing phytoestrogens. The hydrophilic nature of these materials enhances their capacity to adsorb phytoestrogens in aqueous solutions. These findings imply that the developed method holds substantial potential for broader applications in food safety analysis.