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An ultrasensitive amperometric immunosensor for zearalenones based on oriented antibody immobilization on a glassy carbon electrode modified with MWCNTs and AuPt nanoparticles

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Abstract

The family of zearalenones (ZENs) represents a major group of mycotoxins with estrogenic activity. They are produced by Fusarium fungi and cause adverse effects on human health and animal production. The authors describe here a label-free amperometric immunosensor for the direct determination of ZENs. A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was first modified with polyethyleneimine-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Next, gold and platinum nanoparticles (AuPt-NPs) were electro-deposited. This process strongly increased the surface area for capturing a large amount of antibodies and enhanced the electrochemical performance. In a final step, monoclonal antibody against zearalenone was orientedly immobilized on the electrode, this followed by surface blocking with BSA. The resulting biosensor was applied to the voltammetry determination of ZENs, best at a working voltage of 0.18 V (vs SCE). Under optimized conditions, the method displays a wide linear range that extends from 0.005 to 50 ng mL−1, with a limit of detection of 1.5 pg mL−1 (at an S/N ratio of 3). The assay is highly reproducible and selective, and therefore provides a sensitive and convenient tool for determination of such mycotoxins.

An amperometric immunosensor for the direct determination of ZENs has been developed by immobilizing anti-ZEN monoclonal antibody on multi-walled carbon nanotubest hat were deposited, along with gold and platinum nanoparticles, on a glassy carbon electrode modified with Staphylococcus protein A.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the “973” program (2013CB127801), Shanghai Municipal Commission for Science and Technology (15230724400 and 14391901800), and the Public Science and Technology Research Funds of State Grains Bureau (201313005-01-2 and 201513006-02).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. SIBS-UGENT-SJTU Joint Laboratory of Mycotoxin Research, Key Laboratory of Food Safety Research, Institute for Nutritional Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 294 Taiyuan Road, Shanghai, 200031, People’s Republic of China

    Na Liu, Yanglan Tan, Hui Wang & Aibo Wu

  2. Institute for Agri-food Standards and Testing technology, Shanghai Academy of Agriculture Science, 1000 Jinqi Road, Shanghai, 201403, People’s Republic of China

    Dongxia Nie & Zhiyong Zhao

  3. College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, No. 1 Shizishan Street, Hongshan District, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China

    Yucai Liao

  4. Academy of State Administration of Grain, No. 11 Baiwanzhuang Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100037, People’s Republic of China

    Changpo Sun

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  1. Na Liu
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  2. Dongxia Nie
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Correspondence to Aibo Wu.

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Liu, N., Nie, D., Tan, Y. et al. An ultrasensitive amperometric immunosensor for zearalenones based on oriented antibody immobilization on a glassy carbon electrode modified with MWCNTs and AuPt nanoparticles. Microchim Acta 184, 147–153 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-016-1996-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-016-1996-z

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