Highly selective optical nitrite sensor for food analysis based on Lauth's violet-triacetyl cellulose membrane film

► Fabricated cellulose membrane sensor is a simple meant for the determination of nitrite using absorption spectrophotometry. ► Fabricated sensor is selective for determination of nitrite in presence of the more common interfering ions. ► The optical sensor was applied to the determination of nitrite in water, and food samples with satisfactory results.