An ultrasensitive gray-imaging-based quantitative immunochromatographic detection method for fumonisin B1 in agricultural products

Fe-N-C single-atom nanozyme for ultrasensitive, on-site and multiplex detection of mycotoxins using lateral flow immunoassay

Sensitive, on-site and multiple detection of mycotoxins is a vital early-warning tool to minimize food losses and protect human health and the environment. Although paper-based lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) has been extensively applied in mycotoxins monitoring, low-cost, portable, ultrasensitive and quantitative detection is still a formidable challenge. Herein, a series of Fe-N-C single-atom nanozymes (SAzymes) were synthesized and systematic characterized. The optimal Fe-N-C SAzyme with highly efficient catalytic performance was successfully used as both label and catalyst in lateral flow immunoassays for mycotoxin detection. By taking advantage of the catalytic amplified system, the qualitative and quantitative detection can be easily and flexibly done via observing the test lines by naked eyes or a smartphone, with the limit of detections (LODs) of 2.8 and 13.9 pg mL^-1 for AFB₁ and FB₁, which were respectively over 700- and 71,000-fold lower than the maximum limit set by the European Union. Besides, underlying catalytic mechanisms and the active sites of the Fe-N-C SAzyme are also investigated by DFT simulation. This work not only provides a promising detection strategy for the application of advanced SAzymes but also offers experimental and theoretical guidelines to understand the active centers of Fe-N-C SAzymes and the catalytic process.

Indirect signal amplification strategy with a universal probe-based lateral flow immunoassay for the rapid quantitative detection of fumonisin B1

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a serious threat to the health of humans and animals. Herein, a lateral flow immunoassay based on universal detection probes (goat anti-mouse IgG@Eu) that could combine with any mouse monoclonal antibody was applied to detect FB1 in corn and feed. Compared with that based on direct monoclonal antibody labeling, this assay maintained bioactivity and saved consumption of monoclonal antibodies with the indirect signal amplification effect. The results indicated that this assay had higher sensitivity with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.025 and 0.097 ng mL^-1 (0.50 and 1.94 ng g^-1 based on sample weight) in corn and feed, respectively. The detection range was about 1-50 ng mL^-1 (20-1000 ng g^-1 based on sample weight). In addition, the evaluation proved that it had good specificity, accuracy, precision, and applicability, and thus was suitable for the rapid and low-cost detection of fumonisin B1.

A Sensitive Aptasensor Using Biotin-Streptavidin System for Patulin Detection in Apple Juice

Patulin contamination in fruits, vegetables, and their products is considered a serious health risk factor for food safety and human health. Thus, a rapid, simple detection method for patulin is becoming important, which could provide a tool for routine screening and food surveys. The objective of this study was to develop a sensitive aptamer-based lateral flow assay (FLA) using Streptavidin functionalized gold nanoparticles for sensitive patulin detection. An excellent dynamic range for patulin detection was obtained (2.7~139.8 ng/mL in the buffer and 7.07~359.5 ng/mL in the sample) with no affinity for other mycotoxins such as zearalenone (ZEN), ochratoxin A (OTA), aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), citrinin or tenuazonic acid (TEA). The limit of detection was 0.19 ng/mL in the buffer and 0.36 ng/mL in the real sample. The recoveries were 83.3% to 107.1%, with a satisfactory RSD value from 6.5% to 7.5%. Hence the established LFA could be used as a rapid, simple, on-site screening tool for PAT determination in apple juice.

A direct competitive nanozyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on MnO2 nanosheets as a catalytic label for the determination of fumonisin B1

A direct competitive nanozyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dcNLISA) based on MnO₂ nanosheets (MnO₂ NSs) as a nanozyme label was developed for the highly sensitive determination of fumonisin B₁ (FB₁). MnO₂ NS-labeled fumonisin B₁-bovine serum albumin was easily synthesized as a competing antigen for the dcNLISA. And color changes derived from the MnO₂-3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) system were exploited as the output signals of the dcNLISA. Several experimental parameters including the concentrations of the coating antibody, pH values, ionic strength and methanol concentration were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the proposed method demonstrated a linear range (1.17-20.74 ng mL^-1) with a reliable correlation coefficient (R² = 0.9989), a satisfactory limit of detection (0.63 ng mL^-1) and high selectivity for the detection of FB₁. The recoveries of FB₁ in spiked corn and wheat samples were in the range of 85.31-108.16% with coefficients of variation (CVs) ranging from 6.14% to 9.23%. Meanwhile, the testing results showed good consistency (R² = 0.9892) between the developed dcNLISA and the reference method, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. The proposed method was proven to be simple, sensitive, cost-effective and reliable for the screening of FB₁ in cereals.

Aptamer-based detection of fumonisin B1: A critical review

Mycotoxin contamination is a current issue affecting several crops and processed products worldwide. Among the diverse mycotoxin group, fumonisin B1 (FB1) has become a relevant compound because of its adverse effects in the food chain. Conventional analytical methods previously proposed to quantify FB1 comprise LC-MS, HPLC-FLD and ELISA, while novel approaches integrate different sensing platforms and fluorescently labelled agents in combination with antibodies. Nevertheless, such methods could be expensive, time-consuming and require experience. Aptamers (ssDNA) are promising alternatives to overcome some of the drawbacks of conventional analytical methods, their high affinity through specific aptamer-target binding has been exploited in various designs attaining favorable limits of detection (LOD). So far, two aptamers specific to FB1 have been reported, and their modified and shortened sequences have been explored for a successful target quantification. In this critical review spanning the last eight years, we have conducted a systematic comparison based on principal component analysis of the aptamer-based techniques for FB1, compared with chromatographic, immunological and other analytical methods. We have also conducted an in-silico prediction of the folded structure of both aptamers under their reported conditions. The potential of aptasensors for the future development of highly sensitive FB1 testing methods is emphasized.

Simultaneous determination for A. flavus-metabolizing mycotoxins by time-resolved fluorescent microbead or gold-enabling test strip in agricultural products based on monoclonal antibodies

To simultaneously detect two metabolites of Aspergillus flavus, namely, cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) and aflatoxin (AFT), an ultrasensitive monoclonal antibody (mAb) YTT-2 against CPA was developed and characterized, with sensitivity to CPA of 1.32 ng mL-1. Along with the previously homemade mAb 1C11 against AFT, two mAbs were used to develop time-resolved fluorescence immunoprobes or gold immunoprobes. We developed two multiple-analyte paper immunosensors including time-resolved fluorescent immunochromatographic assay (TRFICA) and gold immunochromatographic assay (GICA) for the simultaneous determination of CPA and AFT. The TRFICA showed limits of determination (LODs) of 0.21 and 0.004 ng mL-1, while the GICA showed LODs of 0.33 and 0.01 ng mL-1 for CPA and AFT, respectively. To validate the specificity of the two rapid immunoassays, rice, corn and peanut samples were spiked with different concentrations of CPA and AFT. The two methods showed satisfactory recoveries (76.39~90.82% for CPA and 84.60~94.45% for AFT) and coefficients of variation of 3.50~7.80% for CPA and 4.12~13.90% for AFT. The results indicated that the TRFICA could complete the test within 5 min and had lower LODs and linear ranges, compared with that of GICA. The method developed in this work can be widely applied to the rapid and quantitative simultaneous determination of multiple harmful metabolites in fungi for food safety and health care. Graphical abstract.

Development of an Ultrasensitive and Rapid Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay for Ochratoxin A in Rice

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a known food contaminant that affects a wide range of food and agricultural products. The presence of this fungal metabolite in foods poses a threat to human health. Therefore, various detection and quantification methods have been developed to determine its presence in foods. Herein, we describe a rapid and ultrasensitive tracer-based fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) for the detection of OTA in rice samples. Four fluorescent tracers OTA-fluorescein thiocarbamoyl ethylenediamine (EDF), OTA-fluorescein thiocarbamoyl butane diamine (BDF), OTA-amino-methyl fluorescein (AMF), and OTA-fluorescein thiocarbamoyl hexame (HDF) with fluorescence polarization values (δFP = FPbind-FPfree) of 5, 100, 207, and 80 mP, respectively, were synthesized. The tracer with the highest δFP value (OTA-AMF) was selected and further optimized for the development of an ultrasensitive FPIA with a detection range of 0.03-0.78 ng/mL. A mean recovery of 70.0% to 110.0% was obtained from spiked rice samples with a relative standard deviation of equal to or less than 20%. Good correlations (r² = 0.9966) were observed between OTA levels in contaminated rice samples obtained by the FPIA method and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as a reference method. The rapidity of the method was confirmed by analyzing ten rice samples that were analyzed within 25 min, on average. The sensitivity, accuracy, and rapidity of the method show that it is suitable for screening and quantification of OTA in food samples without the cumbersome pre-analytical steps required in other mycotoxin detection methods.

Competitive-Type Pressure-Dependent Immunosensor for Highly Sensitive Detection of Diacetoxyscirpenol in Wheat via Monoclonal Antibody

Diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) is a type A trichothecene mycotoxin with low molecular weight, and with respect to its toxicity and the occurrence in food and feed, it is known as a potential risk for public and animal health. In the present study, first, a sensitive and specific monoclonal antibody (5E7) was developed. Then, the antibody was applied to develop a competitive-type pressure-dependent immunosensor (CTPDI). The Au@PtNP was synthesized and labeled with goat antimouse antibody (Au@PtNPs-IgG). Finally, the concentration of DAS was negatively correlated with the pressure signal. In the presence of optimal conditions, matrix-matched calibration curves were plotted for wheat samples, in which an optimal IC50 value (half maximal inhibitory concentration) of 3.08 ng/g was achieved. The CTPDI was further applied to detect natural and blind wheat samples, and validation was carried out by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The results showed that CTPDI was highly appropriate and accurate for detection of DAS in wheat.

Fumonisins: Impact on Agriculture, Food, and Human Health and their Management Strategies

The fumonisins producing fungi, Fusarium spp., are ubiquitous in nature and contaminate several food matrices that pose detrimental health hazards on humans as well as on animals. This has necessitated profound research for the control and management of the toxins to guarantee better health of consumers. This review highlights the chemistry and biosynthesis process of the fumonisins, their occurrence, effect on agriculture and food, along with their associated health issues. In addition, the focus has been put on the detection and management of fumonisins to ensure safe and healthy food. The main focus of the review is to provide insights to the readers regarding their health-associated food consumption and possible outbreaks. Furthermore, the consumers' knowledge and an attempt will ensure food safety and security and the farmers' knowledge for healthy agricultural practices, processing, and management, important to reduce the mycotoxin outbreaks due to fumonisins.

Developments in mycotoxin analysis: an update for 2016-2017

This review summarises developments in the determination of mycotoxins over a period between mid-2016 and mid-2017. Analytical methods to determine aflatoxins, Alternaria toxins, ergot alkaloids, fumonisins, ochratoxins, patulin, trichothecenes and zearalenone are covered in individual sections. Advances in proper sampling strategies are discussed in a dedicated section, as are methods used to analyse botanicals and spices and newly developed LC-MS based multi-mycotoxin methods. This critical review aims to briefly discuss the most important recent developments and trends in mycotoxin determination as well as to address limitations of the presented methodologies.

Molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticle-based assay (MINA): application for fumonisin B1 determination

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been used as a standard tool for monitoring food and animal feed contamination from the carcinogenic fumonisin B1 (FB1).