Novel magnetic nanobeads-based fluoroimmunoassays for zearalenone detection in cereals using protein G as the recognition linker

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a type of estrogenic mycotoxin commonly found in cereals. In order to satisfy the need for ultrasensitive detection of ZEN, we developed two novel magnetic nanobeads (MNBs)-based fluoroimmunoassays using protein G (PG) as recognition binder on the sensing interface. One proposed facile strategy is based on a first capture last react (FCLR) procedure while the other is a first react last capture (FRLC) format. Specifically, CdTe/CdS/ZnS quantum dots were synthesized and modified to antigen (OVA-ZEN) as the signal probes. The PG modified MNBs specifically captured the fragment crystallizable region of immunoglobulin G (IgG) with a level of orientation while avoiding the destruction of antibody's binding sites caused by chemical coupling. Under the optimized conditions, the detection limits of 0.019 ng mL−1 and 0.049 ng mL−1 in the extract solution were obtained for the FCLR and FRLC, respectively. Furthermore, the established methods proved to be successful in detecting ZEN in real cereal samples with the detection limits being 0.6 μg kg−1 and 1.5 μg kg−1 in the FCLR and FRLC, respectively. The performance of the proposed assays was evaluated utilizing commercial ELISA kits with satisfactory results.