Flow-based impedimetric immunosensor for aflatoxin analysis in milk products.

Label-free detection technique based on impedance was investigated for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and aflatoxin M2 (AFM2) analysis in milk products. The impedance change resulting from antigen-antibody interaction was studied using a two-electrode setup made up of silver (Ag) wire. Processed milk such as drinking yogurt and flavored milk samples were analyzed in a flow-based setup. Two microflow pumps were used to construct the flow system where analytes (AFM1 and AFM2) were injected and impedance was measured using functionalized Ag wire electrodes. The flow system was optimized by adjusting both inlet and outlet flows to maintain the reaction volume optimum for impedance measurements. Using Bode plot, the matrix effect was investigated for detection of AFM1 and AFM2 in various matrices. Good recoveries were obtained even at low-AFM1 concentrations in the range of 1-100 pg/mL. The influence of AFM2 on the detection of AFM1 was also investigated. The proposed method provides good scope for online monitoring of such hazardous toxins in milk products.

Fluorimetric immunoassay for multianalysis of aflatoxins.

A sensitive fluorimetric ELISA was developed for the analysis of aflatoxins. The assay was performed in a 384 microwell plate, wherein high specificity monoclonal antibody against AFM1 (mAb-AFM1) was used as capture antibody and FITC conjugated secondary antibody was used for detection and quantification of the analyte. The linear range of the immunoassay was found to be 6.25-50 pg/mL. AFM1 as low as 1 pg/mL was detected by this method with assay volume 40 µ L. The multi-analysis of different aflatoxins was also investigated in the microwell plate, based on the cross-reactivity (CR) approach. Real milk samples were tested along with certified reference material by standard addition method and recovery analysis was done. The mAb-AFM1 showed 23.2% CR with AFB1, 50% CR with respect to AFM2, and least CR towards AFG1 (<1%). Furthermore, mixture analysis of AFM2 and AFB1 was carried out at specific concentrations of AFM1. The advantages of this developed immunoassay are high sensitivity, high throughput, multianalyte detection, versatility, and ease of handling.

Miniaturised hybrid immunoassay for high sensitivity analysis of aflatoxin M1 in milk.

An ultra-sensitive sandwich ELISA was developed for detection of AFM1 in milk. The assay involved the immobilization of rat monoclonal antibody of AFM1 in 384 microtiter plate to capture AFM1 antigen. This was detected by tracer secondary rabbit poly-clonal antibody labelled with horseradish peroxidase upon addition of a luminol-based substrate. Milk samples with different fat percentage were analyzed after pre-treatment. Linear range of AFM1 detection 250-6.25 pg/mL was achieved in 3% fat milk. The miniaturised assay (10 µL) enabled ultra trace analysis of AFM1 in milk with much improved lower limit of detection at 0.005 pg/mL. A sensitive magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) based ELISA was also developed and coupled with micro plate ELISA for analysis in milk. The hybrid-assay, by coupling the 1°Ab immobilized MNPs column with microwell plate assay enabled simultaneous measurement of low (0.5 pg/mL) and high AFM1 contamination (200 pg/mL). The most promising feature of this MNPs-ELISA is the small column size, high capture efficiency and lower cost over other reported materials. The proposed assay can be deployed for simultaneous analysis and monitoring of AFM1 in milk.