Recent Progress in Rapid Determination of Mycotoxins Based on Emerging Biorecognition Molecules: A Review

Abstract

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungal species, which pose significant risk to humans and livestock. The mycotoxins which are produced from Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium are considered most important and therefore regulated in food- and feedstuffs. Analyses are predominantly performed by official laboratory methods in centralized labs by expert technicians. There is an urgent demand for new low-cost, easy-to-use, and portable analytical devices for rapid on-site determination. Most significant advances were realized in the field bioanalytical techniques based on molecular recognition. This review aims to discuss recent progress in the generation of native biomolecules and new bioinspired materials towards mycotoxins for the development of reliable bioreceptor-based analytical methods. After brief presentation of basic knowledge regarding characteristics of most important mycotoxins, the generation, benefits, and limitations of present and emerging biorecognition molecules, such as polyclonal (pAb), monoclonal (mAb), recombinant antibodies (rAb), aptamers, short peptides, and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), are discussed. Hereinafter, the use of binders in different areas of application, including sample preparation, microplate- and tube-based assays, lateral flow devices, and biosensors, is highlighted. Special focus, on a global scale, is placed on commercial availability of single receptor molecules, test-kits, and biosensor platforms using multiplexed bead-based suspension assays and planar biochip arrays. Future outlook is given with special emphasis on new challenges, such as increasing use of rAb based on synthetic and naïve antibody libraries to renounce animal immunization, multiple-analyte test-kits and high-throughput multiplexing, and determination of masked mycotoxins, including stereoisomeric degradation products.

Nivalenol Mycotoxin Concerns in Foods: An Overview on Occurrence, Impact on Human and Animal Health and Its Detection and Management Strategies

“…Immunoaffinity chromatography, known as immunoextraction, is a type of SPE that combines immunological and conventional techniques. These are mainly used as the clean-up before any conventional technique [149]. The QuEChERS (quick, easy, inexpensive, effective, rugged, and safe) sample preparation method utilized in this context greatly simplified analytical procedures and, most importantly, enabled the simultaneous extraction of NIV [150][151][152].…”

“…Thus, many existing techniques are unsuitable for real-time and on-site implementation, particularly in emergencies. In response to these constraints, various efficient techniques with excellent sensitivity and specificity for detecting and quantifying mycotoxins have been devised to achieve accurate, rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective data [146,149].…”

“…The molecular interaction between the target and the biorecognition component, or antibody, is the fundamental principle of immunoassays. As of now, antibodies are undoubtedly the ideal recognition component for immunoassays and biosensors [149]. Kits based on ELISA are commercially available for NIVs and are the most widely utilized analytical method for ensuring food safety across the food chain [163].…”

Alternative Hapten Design for Zearalenone Immunoreagent Generation

“…Immunoanalytical methods are based on the high-affinity, selective, reversible, and non-covalent binding between a target substance (analyte) and an antibody. Depending on the analytical requirements, antibodies can be integrated into a variety of immunoanalytical methods, including immunoaffinity columns, lateral-flow immunochromatography assays (immunostrips), biosensors, microarrays, and particularly the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) [ 1 ].…”

A "dilute-and-shoot" method for the Alternaria mycotoxins determination in wheat

“…In order to determine multiple mycotoxins simultaneously the LC-MS/MS technique has been developed, and has drawn significant attention so far. However, when the rapid mycotoxins analysis is needed, the immunoassay-based methods take the lead, such as the biosensors, the lateral-flow devices (LFDs) and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Wang et al, 2022). The most recent techniques used for the mycotoxins determination in food are the molecular techniques, genomic and proteomic methods, as well as the electronic nose and hyperspectral imaging (HSI).…”