Development of a field deployable handheld electrochemical biosensor for detection of aflatoxin B1 in grains

Paper Details

Research Paper 10/07/2024
Views (235) Download (36)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Development of a field deployable handheld electrochemical biosensor for detection of aflatoxin B1 in grains

Abstract

Aflatoxins (AFs) are highly toxic, with Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) being the most harmful, necessitating quick on-site detection to ensure food safety. This study introduces a portable electrochemical biosensor for detecting AFB1 in grains. The biosensor uses a screen-printed electrode (SPE) pretreated in sulfuric acid and modified with bovine serum albumin (BSA) to attach antibodies to the BSA-terminal carboxylic groups, preventing nonspecific AFB1 binding. Modified SPEs were rinsed and stored at 4°C. AFB1 detection was performed using Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) with a wireless portable potentiostat. Absence or low concentrations of AFB1 resulted in a significant increase in DPV peak current, indicating reduced binding of AFB1 to the SPE. Conversely, the presence of AFB1 decreased the DPV peak current, signifying binding of AFB1 to the anti-AFB1 antibodies on the SPE. The signal was transmitted to a cellphone via Bluetooth. The biosensor exhibited a low limit of blank sample (LoB) at 1.67 ng/mL, a low Limit of Detection (LoD) at 2.058 ng/mL, and a dynamic range of 1-20 ng/mL. It was successfully tested on real samples, detecting AFB1 in peanuts and maize flour, indicating its potential for on-site mycotoxin monitoring in food.

VIEWS 338

Alameri MM, Kong AS-Y, Aljaafari MN, Ali HA, Eid K, Sallagi MA, Cheng W-H, Abushelaibi A, Lim S-HE, Loh J-Y.  2023. Aflatoxin contamination: An overview on health issues, detection, and management strategies. Toxins 15(4).

Armbruster DA, Pry T. 2008. Limit of blank, limit of detection and limit of quantitation. The Clinical Biochemist Reviews 29 Suppl 1(Suppl 1), S49-52.

Benkerroum N. 2020. Chronic and acute toxicities of aflatoxins: Mechanisms of action. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17(2).

Chen J, Wen J, Tang Y, Shi J, Mu G, Yan R, Cai J, Long M. 2021. Research progress on fumonisin B1 contamination and toxicity: A review. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) 26(17). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2013.05.008.

Hu D, Xiao S, Guo Q, Yue R, Geng D, Ji D.  2021. Luminescence method for detection of aflatoxin B1 using ATP-releasing nucleotides. RCS Advances 11(24027), 24027–31.

Kamle M, Mahato DK, Devi S, Lee KE, Kang SG, Kumar P. 2019. Fumonisins: Impact on agriculture, food, and human health and their management strategies. Toxins 11(6).

Karczmarczyk A, Bäumner AJ, Feller K-H. 2017. Development of biosensors for mycotoxins detection in food and beverages. Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie Ph.D., XXII, 135. https://epub.uni-regensburg.de/36587/1/A.Karczmarczyk_thesis.pdf

Kassim N, Makule E, Smith LE, Nelson R. 2022. Ethical considerations in the design and conduct of a cluster-randomized mycotoxin mitigation trial in Tanzania.

Kassim N, Ngure F, Smith L, Turner PC, Stoltzfus R, Makule E, Makori N, Phillips E. 2023. Provision of low-aflatoxin local complementary porridge flour reduced urinary aflatoxin biomarker in children aged 6–18 months in rural Tanzania. Maternal & Child Nutrition 19(e13499), 1–9.

Lee J, Suh HN, Park HB, Park YM, Kim HJ, Kim S.  2023. Regenerative strategy of gold electrodes for long-term reuse of electrochemical biosensors. ACS Omega 8, 1389–1400.

Magoha H, Kimanya M, De Meulenaer B, Roberfroid D, Lachat C, Kolsteren P.  2014. Risk of dietary exposure to aflatoxins and fumonisins in infants less than 6 months of age in Rombo, Northern Tanzania. Maternal & Child Nutrition IARC 2002, 1–12.

Mahadhy A, Mamo G, Ståhl-Wernersson E, Mattiasson B, Hedström M. 2014. PCR-free ultrasensitive capacitive biosensor for selective detection and quantification of Enterobacteriaceae DNA. Analytical & Bioanalytical Techniques 5(5).

Mahadhy A, Mattiasson B. 2021. Evaluation of polytyramine film and 6-mercaptohexanol self-assembled monolayers as the immobilization layers for a capacitive DNA sensor chip: A comparison. Sensors (Switzerland) 21(8149).

Mahadhy A, Ståhl-wernersson E, Mattiasson B, Hedström M. 2014. Use of a capacitive affinity biosensor for sensitive and selective detection and quantification of DNA—a model study. Biotechnology Reports 3, 42–48.

Mahadhy A,Ståhl-Wernersson E, Mattiasson B, Hedström, M. 2020. Rapid detection of MecA gene of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by a novel, label-free real-time capacitive biosensor. Biotechnology Reports 28.

Mahadhy A. 2015. Development of an ultrasensitive capacitive DNA-sensor: A promising tool towards microbial diagnostics.

Mamo FT, Abate BA, Zheng Y, Nie C, He M, Liu Y.  2021. Distribution of Aspergillus fungi and recent aflatoxin reports, health risks, and advances in developments of biological mitigation strategies in China. Toxins 13(10).

Meijer N, Kleter G, de Nijs M, Rau ML, Derkx R, van der Fels-Klerx HJ. 2021. The aflatoxin situation in Africa: Systematic literature review. Wiley (February), 2286–2304.

Mollay C, Kassim N, Stoltzfus R, Kimanya M. 2020. Childhood dietary exposure of aflatoxins and fumonisins in Tanzania: A review. Cogent Food & Agriculture 6(1), 1859047. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2020.1859047.

Mollay C, Kassim N, Stoltzfus R, Kimanya M. 2021. Complementary feeding in Kongwa, Tanzania: Findings to inform a mycotoxin mitigation trial study site. Maternal & Child Nutrition 17(e13188), 1–10.

Mollay C, Kimanya M, Kassim N, Stoltzfus R. 2022. Main complementary food ingredients contributing to aflatoxin exposure to infants and young children in Kongwa, Tanzania. Food Control 135, 108709. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956713521008471.

Mollay C. 2021. Complementary feeding in Kongwa, Tanzania: Findings to inform a mycotoxin mitigation trial. John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Moon J, Byun J, Kim H, Lim EK, Jeong J, Jung J, Kang T. 2018. On-site detection of aflatoxin B1 in grains by a palm-sized surface plasmon resonance sensor. Sensors (Switzerland) 18(2).

Moscone D, Palleschi G. 2006. Detection of aflatoxin B1 in barley: Comparative study of immunosensor and HPLC.

Pérez-Fernández B, de la Escosura-Muñiz A. 2022. Electrochemical biosensors based on nanomaterials for aflatoxins detection: A review (2015–2021). Analytica Chimica Acta (xxxx).

Phillips E, Ngure F, Smith LE, Makule E, Turner PC, Nelson R, Kimanya M, Stoltzfus R, Kassim N.  2020. Protocol for the trial to establish a causal linkage between mycotoxin exposure and child stunting: A cluster randomized trial. BMC Public Health 20(1), 598. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08694-6.

Pickova D, Ostry V, Malir J, Toman J, Malir F. 2020. A review on mycotoxins and microfungi in spices in the light of the last five years. Toxins 12(12), 1–33.

Sarkar A. 2022. Biosensing, characterization of biosensors, and improved drug delivery approaches using atomic force microscopy: A review. Frontiers in Nanotechnology 3(January), 1–19.

Seetha A, Munthali W, Msere HW, Swai E, Muzanila Y, Sichone E, Tsusaka TW, Rathore A, Okori P. 2017. Occurrence of aflatoxins and its management in diverse cropping systems of central Tanzania. Mycotoxin Res. 33(4), 323-331. DOI: 10.1007/s12550-017-0286-x.

Singh J, Mehta A. 2020. Rapid and sensitive detection of mycotoxins by advanced and emerging analytical methods: A review. Food Science and Nutrition 8(5), 2183–2204.

Smith GW. 2007. Chapter 78 – Fumonisins. In Veterinary Toxicology, ed. Ramesh C Gupta. Academic Press, 983–96. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123704672501759.

Smith GW. 2018. Chapter 71 – Fumonisins. In Veterinary Toxicology (Third Edition), ed. Ramesh C Gupta. Academic Press, 1003–18. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128114100000714.

Steyn PS. 2023. Chapter 12 – Mycotoxins in cereals. In ICC Handbook of 21st Century Cereal Science and Technology, eds. Peter R Shewry, Hamit Koksel, John R N Taylor. Academic Press, 111–19. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323952958000368.

Thévenot DR, Toth K, Durst RA, Wilson GS. 2001. Electrochemical biosensors: Recommended definitions and classification. Biosensors & Bioelectronics 16, 121–31.

Vidal JC, Bonel L, Ezquerra A, Hernández S, Bertolín JR, Cubel C, Castillo JR. 2013. Electrochemical affinity biosensors for detection of mycotoxins: A review. Biosensors and Bioelectronics 49, 146-158.

Zhou Y, Fang Y, Ramasamy RP. 2019. Non-covalent functionalization of carbon nanotubes for electrochemical biosensor development. Sensors (Switzerland) 19(2).