Carbon-Based Nanocomposite Smart Sensors for the Rapid Detection of Mycotoxins

Abstract

Carbon-based nanomaterials have become the subject of intensive interest because their intriguing physical and chemical properties are different from those of their bulk counterparts, leading to novel applications in smart sensors. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites with different structures and toxic effects produced by fungi. Mycotoxins have low molecular weights and highly diverse molecular structures, which can induce a spectrum of biological effects in humans and animals even at low concentrations. A tremendous amount of biosensor platforms based on various carbon nanocomposites have been developed for the determination of mycotoxins. Therefore, the contents of this review are based on a balanced combination of our own studies and selected research studies performed by academic groups worldwide. We first address the vital preparation methods of biorecognition unit (antibodies, aptamers, molecularly imprinted polymers)-functionalized carbon-based nanomaterials for sensing mycotoxins. Then, we summarize various types of smart sensors for the detection of mycotoxins. We expect future research on smart sensors to show a significant impact on the detection of mycotoxins in food products.

Recent Advances of Nanomaterials-Based Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemical Sensors

“…rGO was usually compounded with AuNPs, and the nanocomposite had a faster electron transport speed and higher catalytic activity [ 81 ]. Beluomini et al [ 82 ] electrodeposited rGO and AuNPs on GCE to develop a sensor for D-mannitol (D-M) determination in sugarcane vinasse.…”

Recent trends in analysis of mycotoxins in food using carbon-based nanomaterials

“…Given the high specific surface area and easy surface modification, the CNMs are deposited on electrodes, followed by functionalization with carboxylic acid, polymer or metal nanoparticles for immobilization of suitable target antibody [ 34 ]. The antibodies are immobilized by several techniques including covalent binding, self-assembly and electrostatic deposition, in which the covalent binding technique is often used due to the uniform immobilization of antibody attained through the amide bond formation between carboxylic acid groups on CNMs and amine groups on antibodies [ 22 ]. Prior to antibody immobilization, the carboxy-functionalized CNMs are usually activated using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide/N-hydroxy succinimide (EDC/NHS) coupling/activating agent for effective binding of antibody on the electrode surface [ 35 – 38 ].…”

“…The MWCNTs have emerged as a promising carbon nanomaterial especially in the fabrication of biosensors [ 3 , 22 ]. Specifically, the carboxylic acid-functionalized MWCNTs (cMWCNTs) are extensively used as they enable rapid and direct electron transfer in electrochemically active materials [ 39 – 41 ].…”

“…Due to their excellent optical, electrical, mechanical and catalytic properties, various classes of nanomaterials including metal/metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) and their nanocomposites have been explored in the design of sensors for enhancement of sensitivity and device miniaturization [ 4 , 20 ]. Of the various nanomaterials, CNMs have become promising materials for detection of MYTs as they possess unique characteristics including high specific surface area, biocompatibility, ease of functionalization and excellent electrical transmission ability [ 19 , 21 , 22 ]. Depending on the ratio of sp, sp 2 and sp 3 hybridization in CNMs, different types of CNMs are formed including graphene quantum dots (GQDs) (0D CNMs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/carbon nanofibers (CNFs) (1D CNMs) and graphene materials (2D CNMs) [ 4 , 22 ].…”

“…Of the various nanomaterials, CNMs have become promising materials for detection of MYTs as they possess unique characteristics including high specific surface area, biocompatibility, ease of functionalization and excellent electrical transmission ability [ 19 , 21 , 22 ]. Depending on the ratio of sp, sp 2 and sp 3 hybridization in CNMs, different types of CNMs are formed including graphene quantum dots (GQDs) (0D CNMs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/carbon nanofibers (CNFs) (1D CNMs) and graphene materials (2D CNMs) [ 4 , 22 ]. These CNMs exhibit remarkable surface properties for functionalization with a variety of polymers/biomolecules/nanoparticles towards eventual immobilization of a large amount of recognition elements (antibody and aptamer) to improve detector response [ 3 , 23 ].…”