CLICK-FLISA Based on Metal–Organic Frameworks for Simultaneous Detection of Fumonisin B1 (FB1) and Zearalenone (ZEN) in Maize

Abstract

Mycotoxins are secondary products produced primarily by fungi and are pathogens of animals and cereals, not only affecting agriculture and the food industry but also causing great economic losses. The development of rapid and sensitive methods for the detection of mycotoxins in food is of great significance for livelihood issues. This study employed an amino-functionalized zirconium luminescent metal–organic framework (LOF) (i.e., UiO-66-NH2). Click chemistry was utilized to assemble UiO-66-NH2 in a controlled manner, generating LOF assemblies to serve as probes for fluorescence-linked immunoassays. The proposed fluoroimmunoassay method for Zearalenone (ZEN) and Fumonisin B1 (FB1) detection based on the UiO-66-NH2 assembled probe (CLICK-FLISA) afforded a linear response range of 1–20 μmol/L for ZEN, 20 μmol/L for FB1, and a very low detection limit (0.048–0.065 μmol/L for ZEN; 0.048–0.065 μmol/L for FB1). These satisfying results demonstrate promising applications for on-site quick testing in practical sample analysis. Moreover, the amino functionalization may also serve as a modification strategy to design luminescent sensors for other food contaminants.

Keywords

• food safety
• mycotoxins
• metal–organic framework
• immunoassay