Chemiluminescence-based biosensor for fumonisins quantitative detection in maize samples

A compact portable chemiluminescent biosensor for simple, rapid, and ultrasensitive on-site quantification of fumonisins (fumonisin B1 + fumonisin B2) in maize has been developed. The biosensor integrates a competitive lateral flow immunoassay based on enzyme-catalyzed chemiluminescence detection and a highly sensitive portable charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, employed in a contact imaging configuration. The use of chemiluminescence detection allowed accurate and objective analyte quantification, rather than qualitative or semi-quantitative information usually obtained employing conventional lateral flow immunoassays based on colloidal gold labeling. A limit of detection of 2.5 μg L−1 for fumonisins was achieved, with an analytical working range of 2.5–500 μg L−1 (corresponding to 25–5000 μg kg−1 in maize flour samples, according to the extraction procedure). Total assay time was 25 min, including sample preparation. A simple and convenient extraction procedure, performed by suspending the sample in a buffered solution and rapidly heating to eliminate endogenous peroxidase enzyme activity was employed for maize flour samples analysis, obtaining recoveries in the range 90–115%, when compared with LC–MS/MS analysis. The chemiluminescence immunochromatography-based biosensor is a rapid, low cost portable test suitable for point-of-use applications.

► Development of a biosensor based on chemiluminescence lateral flow immunoassay.
► The biosensor employs a compact, portable and battery-operated luminescence detector.
► Accurate fumonisins detection in maize flour below regulatory limits is achieved.
► Fumonisins 25 μg kg−1 detection limit and 90–115% recovery are obtained in maize flour.
► The biosensor is suitable for on-field analysis.