Development of a quantum dot-based lateral flow immunoassay with high reaction consistency to total aflatoxins in botanical materials

Total aflatoxins (AFTs) are an important safety indicator for botanical materials, but at present, rapid detection technology for AFTs is seldom reported. In this study, the monoclonal antibody with similar reactivity to total aflatoxins was produced, and the quantum dot-based lateral flow immunoassay (QD-LFIA) coupled with a portable device was developed to rapidly determine AFT residues in botanical materials. The half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of the QD-LFIA for AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2, AFM1, and AFM2 were 10.57, 12.64, 11.34, 12.67, 10.13, and 12.75 mu g kg(-1), respectively, which show high reaction consistency to total aflatoxins. For different botanical materials, the sample was simply extracted with methanol-water and diluted with PBS, and the sample solution was directly loaded onto the QD-LFIA strip for determination. To overcome interference from the matrix effects, specific standard curves were established for each kind of botanical material. The detection limit of AFTs in 6 different botanical materials was 0.95 similar to 2.03 mu g kg(-1) with a linear range of 2 similar to 120 mu g kg(-1). The spiked recoveries of AFTs in botanical materials of different species and localities of growth were 75 similar to 105% with a coefficient of variation below 15%. The test results of the actual samples are consistent with the Chinese national standard test method. This study provides an easy-to-use method to rapidly determine AFTs in different botanical materials.

Automated summary

The study successfully produced monoclonal antibodies with reactivity to total aflatoxins and developed a QD-LFIA technology for rapid detection of AFT residues in botanical materials. With specific standard curves established for different botanical materials, the method achieved rapid and accurate determination of AFTs.