High-performance electrochemiluminescence sensors based on ultra-stable perovskite quantum dots@ZIF-8 composites for aflatoxin B1 monitoring in corn samples

Food Chem. 2023 Jun 1:410:135325. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.135325. Epub 2022 Dec 24.

Abstract

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) that is prone to contaminate corns brings a serious threat to human health. Therefore, it is of great significance to construct novel detection methods for AFB1 tracing. Here, methylamine perovskite quantum dots (MP QDs) encapsulated by ZIF-8 metal-organic frameworks (MP QDs@ZIF-8) were prepared and then ultra-stable electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensors were developed. By the confinement of cavities structure, multiple MP QDs were crystallized and embedded inside ZIF-8 to form MP QDs@ZIF-8, achieving stable and robust ECL responds in aqueous environment. Further combined with AFB1-imprinted polymer, the constructed ECL sensor showed good selectivity and ultra-sensitivity (the detection limit was 3.5 fg/mL, S/N = 3) with a wide linear range from 11.55 fg/mL to 20 ng/mL for AFB1 quantification. Satisfactory recoveries in corn samples indicated the reliable practicability of the proposed sensor for AFB1 assay. This work provided a novel pathway in designing high-performance ECL sensing platform for food safety.

Keywords: Aflatoxin B1; Corn sample; Electrochemiluminescence sensor; Methylamine perovskite quantum dot; ZIF-8 metal–organic framework.

MeSH terms

  • Aflatoxin B1 / analysis
  • Biosensing Techniques* / methods
  • Electrochemical Techniques / methods
  • Humans
  • Limit of Detection
  • Luminescent Measurements / methods
  • Oxides
  • Quantum Dots* / chemistry
  • Zea mays

Substances

  • perovskite
  • Aflatoxin B1
  • Oxides