In silico studies and development of a protein-based electrochemical sensor for selective and sensitive detection of aflatoxin B1

Mikrochim Acta. 2024 Jun 27;191(7):426. doi: 10.1007/s00604-024-06495-x.

Abstract

Proteins from different species have been docked with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and identified 3 proteins (prostaglandin-E(2)9-reductase from Oryctolagus uniculus, proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase Pim-1 and human immunoglobulin G (hIgG)) as potential candidates to develop an electrochemical sensor. Fluorescence spectroscopy experiments have confirmed the interaction of hIgG with AFB1 with an affinity constant of 4.6 × 105 M-1. As a proof-of-concept, hIgG was immobilized on carbon nanocomposite (carbon nanotube-nanofiber, CNT-F)-coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE). FT-IR spectra, HR-TEM and BCA assay have confirmed successful immobilization of hIgG on the electrode (hIgG@CNT-F/GCE). The preparation of this protein electrochemical sensor requires only 1 h 36 min, which is fast as compared with preparing an electro immunosensor. hIgG@CNT-F/GCE has displayed an excellent AFB1 limit of detection (0.1 ng/mL), commendable selectivity in the presence of two other mycotoxins (ochratoxin A and patulin) and the detection of AFB1 in spiked peanuts and corn samples.

Keywords: AFB1; Carbon nanotube-nanofiber; Differential pulse voltammetry; Electrochemical sensor; Human serum immunoglobulin G; Modified glassy carbon electrode.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aflatoxin B1* / analysis
  • Aflatoxin B1* / immunology
  • Arachis / chemistry
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods
  • Electrochemical Techniques* / instrumentation
  • Electrochemical Techniques* / methods
  • Electrodes
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G*
  • Limit of Detection
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Nanotubes, Carbon* / chemistry
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas

Substances

  • Aflatoxin B1
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • MAS1 protein, human