Synthesis of improved upconversion nanoparticles as ultrasensitive fluorescence probe for mycotoxins

- Improved rare earth-doped upconversion nanoparticles were prepared with detailed optimizations.
- Setup of an upconversion fluorescence spectrometer.
- An advanced UCNPs-based immunosensor for dual-sensing mycotoxins was developed with a LOD of 0.001 ng ml−1.
- Application of this biosensor to detect targets in real samples were confirmed with satisfied results.

Rare earth-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have promising potentials in biodetection due to their unique frequency upconverting capability and high detection sensitivity. This paper reports an improved UCNPs-based fluorescence probe for dual-sensing of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and Deoxynivalenol (DON) using a magnetism-induced separation and the specific formation of antibody-targets complex. Herein, the improved UCNPs, which were namely NaYF4:Yb/Ho/Gd and NaYF4:Yb/Tm/Gd, were systematically studied based on the optimization of reaction time, temperature and the concentration of dopant ions with simultaneous phase and size controlled NaYF4 nanoparticles; and the targets were detected using the pattern of competitive combination assay. Under an optimized condition, the advanced fluorescent probes revealed stronger fluorescent properties, broader biological applications and better storage stabilities compared to traditional UCNPs-based ones; and ultrasensitive determinations of AFB1 and DON were achieved under a wide sensing range of 0.001-0.1 ng ml−1 with the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.001 ng ml−1. Additionally, the applicability of the improved nanosensor for the detection of mycotoxins was also confirmed in adulterated oil samples.