Silver nanoclusters based FRET aptasensor for sensitive and selective fluorescent detection of T-2 toxin

T-2 is a trichthecenes mycotoxin responsible for severe food poisoning and toxic influences in humans and animals. Therefore, a rapid and sensitive detection of T-2 is an urgent need to protect the public health mainly caused by the consumption of contaminated agricultural products. Herein, we have prepared one pot synthesis of aptamer functionalized silver nanoclusters (apt-AgNCs) for fluorescent detection of T-2 that relies on novel fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Apt-AgNCs, act as energy donor, were applied as fluorescent sensing probe whose fluorescence was quenched by MoS2 employed as fluorescent acceptor. Introduction of target in proposed bioassay leads to desorption of Apt-AgNCs from MoS2, and recovery of fluorescence in a toxin concentration dependent-manner. A dynamic quantification range was 0.005-500 ng mL-1 while the LOD was 0.93 pg mL-1. Spiking analysis reveals the efficiency and robustness of the developed assembly, with recovery percentages ranged from 89.46% to 102.08% and 90.41% to 107.75% in maize and wheat samples, respectively. The results were cross-verified using standard commercial T-2 EISA kit. In conclusion, developed bioassay may find good utility in testing for risk assessment of T-2 toxin.