A imprinted electrochemical sensor based on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for ultrasensitive detection of chrysoidine was fabricated. A GCE was modified by magnetic graphene oxide/beta-cyclodextrin/gold nanoparticles composites (MGO/beta-CD@AuNPs). The sensing surface area and electronic transmission rate were increased, which was benefited from the distribution property of MGO/beta-CD@AuNPs. The MGO/beta-CD@AuNPs composite improved electrochemical response and sensitivity of the sensor. The molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor was prepared by electropolymerization on modified electrode. Chrysoidine and pyrrole were used as template molecule and functional monomer, respectively. Under the optimization experimental conditions, the electrochemical sensor exhibited excellent analytical performance: the detection of chrysoidine ranged from 5.0 x 10(-8) mol/L to 5.0 x 10(-6) mol/L with the detection limit of 1.7 x 10(-8) mol/L. The sensor was applied to determine chrysoidine in spiked water samples and showed high selectivity, good sensitivity and acceptable reproducibility. The proposed method provides a promising platform for trace amount detection of other food additives. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.