Latest strategies for rapid and point of care detection of mycotoxins in food: A review

Mycotoxins contaminated in agricultural products are often highly carcinogenic and genotoxic to humans. With the streamlining of the food industry chain and the improvement of food safety requirements, the traditional laboratory testing mode is constantly challenged due to the expensive equipment, complex operation steps, and lag in testing results. Therefore, rapid detection methods are urgently needed in the food safety system. This review focuses on the latest strategies that can achieve rapid and on-site testing, with particular attention to the nanomaterials integrated biosensors. To provide researchers with the latest trends and inspiration in the field of rapid detection, we summarize several strategies suitable for point of care testing (POCT) of mycotoxins, including enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), lateral flow assay (LFA), fluorescence, electrochemistry, and colorimetry assay. POCT-based strategies are all developing towards intelligence and portability, especially when combined with smartphones, making it easier to read signals for intuitive access and analysis of test data. Detection performance of the devices has also improved considerably with the integration of biosensors and nanomaterials.

Automated summary

Mycotoxins in agricultural products are highly carcinogenic and genotoxic to humans. Traditional laboratory testing methods are being challenged due to their high cost and slow results, necessitating the development of rapid detection methods. This review focuses on the latest strategies, particularly nanomaterial-integrated biosensors, that enable rapid and on-site testing. Several strategies suitable for point of care testing (POCT) of mycotoxins, such as ELISA, LFA, fluorescence, electrochemistry, and colorimetry assay, are summarized. POCT strategies are advancing towards intelligence and portability, especially when combined with smartphones. The integration of biosensors and nanomaterials has significantly improved detection performance.