Rapid and Simultaneous Detection of Aflatoxin B₁, Zearalenone, and T-2 Toxin in Medicinal and Edible Food Using Gold Immunochromatographic Test Strip

Abstract

(1) Background: Medicinal and edible food and traditional Chinese medicine have been used to treat various diseases. However, their safety has not been thoroughly assessed. (2) Methods: An immunochromatographic test strip (ICS) was used for the first time to screen some mycotoxins, including aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), zearalenone (ZEN), and T-2 toxin, in medicinal and edible food and traditional Chinese medicine. Antibody/nano-gold particle coupling was used with the prepared ICS, and the pH, monoclonal antibody concentration, and antigen amount were optimized. The extraction sample solution was diluted 10 times with phosphate-buffered saline containing 0.5% Tween-20 and 0.05% sodium dodecyl sulfate to remove the complex matrix in medicinal and edible food. (3) Results: Under optimal conditions, the sensitivities of the developed ICS for AFB1, ZEN, and T-2 were 0.5, 5.0, and 5.0 ng/mL, respectively. Among the 30 medicinal and edible food samples tested, two samples (both of sand jujube kernels) were positive, and the results were verified by high-performance liquid chromatography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and were consistent with the ICS test results. (4) Conclusions: The ICS could be used for rapid screening and simultaneous detection of mycotoxins at medicinal and edible food storage facilities.

Keywords

• medicinal and edible food
• traditional Chinese medicine
• mycotoxin
• toxin screening
• gold immunochromatography