Colloidal gold, quantum dots and polystyrene microspheres were used as labels in three kinds of lateral flow immunochromatographic assays (ICAs) for the detection of zearalenone (ZEN) in cereal samples. The assays allow ZEN to be quantified within 20 min. The LODs are 10 μg·L of ZEN for the colloidal gold-based ICA, and 1 μg·L for both the quantum dot and polystyrene microsphere based ICAs. The respective data are 60 μg·kg, 6 μg·kg and 6 μg·kg, respectively, for spiked samples and cereals. Only minor cross-sensitivity occurred between ZEN and fusarium toxins, and no cross-sensitivity if found for aflatoxin B, T-2 mycotoxin, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, and fumonisin B. LODs of the three assays are lower than the maximum limits of ZEN set by most standardization agencies. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of three lateral flow immunochromatographic assays (ICAs) based on the use of (a) colloidal gold (CG), (b) fluorescent quantum dots (QD), and
It is found that the fluorescence of carbon dots (CD) with an emission peak at 459 nm is strongly quenched by silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with their absorption peak at 430 nm. The finding was applied in a fluorescence quenchometric lateral flow immunochromatographic assay for detection of zearalenone (ZEN) with CDs conjugated to ovalbumin (OVA) as donor signal probe and AgNP-Ab as acceptor signal probe. The assay has an LOD of 0.1 μg·L for ZEN. This is 10 times better than the respective "turn-off" AgNP-based LFIA. In case of cereal samples and their products, the LODs range from 1 to 2.5 μg·kg. Only minor cross reactivity is found for fusarium toxins, and no cross-sensitivity for aflatoxin B1, T-2 mycotoxin, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, and fumonisin B1. The assay represents a simple, sensitive, and rapid tool for determination of ZEN in cereal samples and their products. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of fluorescence quenching lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (FLFIA) based on carbon dots (CD) and silver nanoparticle (AgNP) fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) system for the rapid high sensitive detection of zearalenone (ZEN) in cereal samples.
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