scholarly journals Microcantilever Resonators for Ochratoxin A Detection in Food and Drinks

Author(s):  
Karin Santoro ◽  
Ambra Prelle ◽  
Davide Spadaro ◽  
Maria Lodovica Gullino ◽  
Carlo Ricciardi

Mycotoxins food contamination represents a serious risk for consumers health. They are secondary metabolites of fungi that can be present in a wide range of foodstuffs. Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the most toxic compound and it is classified as a possible carcinogenic molecule. The harmful effects of OTA on human and animal health lead to a big boost to develop and optimize highly sensitive and accurate methods for OTA detection. An innovative and rapid detection method based on microcantilever resonators for ochratoxin A identification in food matrix has been developed. This work demonstrates the possibility to apply microcantilever technology in food safety field, showing for the first time in literature the successful detection of one of the most dangerous mycotoxin in different food matrixes both solids and liquids, such as green coffee, grape juice and wine. Sensing performances are discussed in terms of calibration plot and limit of detection.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepshikha Shahdeo ◽  
Azmat Ali Khan ◽  
Amer M Alanazi ◽  
Yun Suk Huh ◽  
Shruti Shukla ◽  
...  

Abstract Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the predominant mycotoxins that contaminate a wide range of food commodities. In the present study, a 36-mer aptamer was used as a molecular recognition element coupled with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for colorimetric detection of OTA in a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (µPADs). The µPADs consisted of three zones: control, detection, and sample, interconnected by channels. The biophysical characterizations of aptamer conjugated AuNPs were done by UV-vis spectroscopy (UV-vis), dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The developed colorimetric assay for OTA showed a limit of detection of 242, 545, and 95.69 ng/mL in water, corn, and groundnut, respectively. The HPLC detection method achieved acceptable coefficient in standard curves (r2 = 0.9995), better detection range, and recovery rates in spiked corn and groundnut samples as 43.61 ± 2.18% to 87.10 ± 1.82% and 42.01 ± 1.31% to 86.03 ± 2.64% after multiple sample extractions and cleanup steps. However, the developed µPADs analytical device had the potent ability to rapidly detect OTA without any extraction pre-requirement, derivatization, and cleanup steps, thus illustrating its feasibility in the animal health sector, agricultural, and food industries.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shubhangi J. Mane-Gavade ◽  
Sandip R. Sabale ◽  
Xiao-Ying Yu ◽  
Gurunath H. Nikam ◽  
Bhaskar V. Tamhankar

Introduction: Herein we report the green synthesis and characterization of silverreduced graphene oxide nanocomposites (Ag-rGO) using Acacia nilotica gum for the first time. Experimental: We demonstrate the Hg2+ ions sensing ability of the Ag-rGO nanocomposites form aqueous medium. The developed colorimetric sensor method is simple, fast and selective for the detection of Hg2+ ions in aqueous media in presence of other associated ions. A significant color change was noticed with naked eye upon Hg2+ addition. The color change was not observed for cations including Sr2+, Ni2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Fe2+, Ba2+ and Mn2+indicating that only Hg2+ shows a strong interaction with Ag-rGO nanocomposites. Under the most suitable condition, the calibration plot (A0-A) against concentration of Hg2+ was linear in the range of 0.1-1.0 ppm with a correlation coefficient (R2) value 0.9998. Results & Conclusion The concentration of Hg2+ was quantitatively determined with the Limit of Detection (LOD) of 0.85 ppm. Also, this method shows excellent selectivity towards Hg2+ over nine other cations tested. Moreover, the method offers a new cost effective, rapid and simple approach for the detection of Hg2+ in water samples.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 768
Author(s):  
Hyung-Mo Kim ◽  
Chiwoo Oh ◽  
Jaehyun An ◽  
Seungki Baek ◽  
Sungje Bock ◽  
...  

Exosomes are attracting attention as new biomarkers for monitoring the diagnosis and prognosis of certain diseases. Colorimetric-based lateral-flow assays have been previously used to detect exosomes, but these have the disadvantage of a high limit of detection. Here, we introduce a new technique to improve exosome detection. In our approach, highly bright multi-quantum dots embedded in silica-encapsulated nanoparticles (M–QD–SNs), which have uniform size and are brighter than single quantum dots, were applied to the lateral flow immunoassay method to sensitively detect exosomes. Anti-CD63 antibodies were introduced on the surface of the M–QD–SNs, and a lateral flow immunoassay with the M–QD–SNs was conducted to detect human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) exosomes. Exosome samples included a wide range of concentrations from 100 to 1000 exosomes/µL, and the detection limit of our newly designed system was 117.94 exosome/μL, which was 11 times lower than the previously reported limits. Additionally, exosomes were selectively detected relative to the negative controls, liposomes, and newborn calf serum, confirming that this method prevented non-specific binding. Thus, our study demonstrates that highly sensitive and quantitative exosome detection can be conducted quickly and accurately by using lateral immunochromatographic analysis with M–QD–SNs.


Toxins ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randa Zeidan ◽  
Zahoor Ul-Hassan ◽  
Roda Al-Thani ◽  
Quirico Migheli ◽  
Samir Jaoua

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by certain filamentous fungi, causing human and animal health issues upon the ingestion of contaminated food and feed. Among the safest approaches to the control of mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxin detoxification is the application of microbial biocontrol agents. Burkholderia cepacia is known for producing metabolites active against a broad number of pathogenic fungi. In this study, the antifungal potential of a Qatari strain of Burkholderia cepacia (QBC03) was explored. QBC03 exhibited antifungal activity against a wide range of mycotoxigenic, as well as phytopathogenic, fungal genera and species. The QBC03 culture supernatant significantly inhibited the growth of Aspergillus carbonarius, Fusarium culmorum and Penicillium verrucosum in PDA medium, as well as A. carbonarius and P. verrucosum biomass in PDB medium. The QBC03 culture supernatant was found to dramatically reduce the synthesis of ochratoxin A (OTA) by A. carbonarius, in addition to inducing mycelia malformation. The antifungal activity of QBC03’s culture extract was retained following thermal treatment at 100 °C for 30 min. The findings of the present study advocate that QBC03 is a suitable biocontrol agent against toxigenic fungi, due to the inhibitory activity of its thermostable metabolites.


2001 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 903-906 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. ABARCA ◽  
F. ACCENSI ◽  
M. R. BRAGULAT ◽  
F. J. CABAÑES

Ochratoxin A (OA) is receiving attention worldwide because of the hazard it poses to human and animal health. OA contamination of commodities, such as cereals or pork and poultry meat, is well recognized. Nevertheless, there is an increasing number of articles reporting OA contamination in other food commodities, such as coffee, beer, wine, grape juice, and milk, in the last few years. This continuous and increasing exposure to OA that humans experience is reflected in the high incidence of OA in both human blood and milk in several countries. OA was believed to be produced only by Aspergillus ochraceus and closely related species of section Circumdati and by Penicillium verrucosum; however, in the genus Aspergillus, the production of OA has been recently reported by species outside the section Circumdati. Thus, it has been clearly established as a metabolite of different species of the section Nigri, such as Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus carbonarius. OA production ability by Aspergillus spp. is more widespread than previously thought; therefore, there is the possibility that unexpected species can be new sources of this mycotoxin in their natural substrates.


2000 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
SUZHEN LI ◽  
R. R. MARQUARDT ◽  
D. ABRAMSON

Molds are widely distributed in nature and cause deterioration of foods and feeds. Their mycotoxins can adversely affect human and animal health. Suitable assays for molds, therefore, are required to implement control and regulatory strategies and to develop appropriate feeding regimens for mold-infested feeds. Many different types of mold assays have been used, most of which are not reproducible or accurate. However, the immunoassays, particularly enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), can be especially useful. Among these, assays that detect the water-soluble extracellular secretions of fungi, the exoantigens, are generally able to detect fungi at the genus or species level, whereas the heat-stable polysaccharides tend to be specific for one or more genus of fungi. Several species and genus (genera)–specific ELISAs have been developed using monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against exoantigens and heat-stable polysaccharides from a wide range of fungi, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium species. Other assays have been developed that nonspecifically detect mold in food or feed, some using antibodies against a mixture of antigens from different fungi. These assays are highly sensitive, are easy to perform, and provide an index of the amount of mold present in the sample. Further refinement of these assays should facilitate their widespread use by food and feed processors, regulatory agencies, taxonomists, and research scientists.


Toxins ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xian Zhang ◽  
Zuohuan Wang ◽  
Hui Xie ◽  
Renjie Sun ◽  
Tong Cao ◽  
...  

A rapid and sensitive electrochemical biosensor based on magnetic nanoparticles and screen-printed electrodes (MNPs-SPEs sensor) was developed for the detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) in cereal and feed samples. Different types of magnetic nanoparticles-based ELISA (MNPs-ELISA) were optimized, and the signal detection, as well as sensitivity, was enhanced by the combined use of screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). Under the optimized conditions, the calibration curve of the MNPs-SPEs sensor was y = 0.3372x + 0.8324 (R2 = 0.9805). The linear range of detection and the detection limit were 0.01–0.82 ng/mL and 0.007 ng/mL, respectively. In addition, 50% inhibition (IC50) was detectable at 0.10 ng/mL. The limit of detection (LOD) of this MNPs-SPEs sensor in cereal and feed samples was 0.28 μg/kg. The recovery rates in spiked samples were between 78.7% and 113.5%, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were 3.6–9.8%, with the coefficient of variation lower than 15%. Parallel analysis of commercial samples (corn, wheat, and feedstuff) showed a good correlation between MNPs-SPEs sensor and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS). This new method provides a rapid, highly sensitive, and less time-consuming method to determine levels of ochratoxin A in cereal and feedstuff samples.


Author(s):  
Rachel Louise Byrne ◽  
Grant A Kay ◽  
Konstantina Kontogianni ◽  
Lottie Brown ◽  
Andrea M Collins ◽  
...  

RT-qPCR utilising upper respiratory swabs are the diagnostic gold standard for SARS-CoV-2 despite reported low sensitivity and limited scale up due to global shortages. Saliva is a non-invasive, equipment independent alternative to swabs. We collected 145 paired saliva and nasal/throat (NT) swabs at diagnosis (day 0) and repeated on day 2 and day 7 dependent on inpatient care and day 28 for study follow up. Laboratory cultured virus was used to determine the analytical sensitivity of spiked saliva and swabs containing amies preservation media. Self-collected saliva samples were found to be consistent, and in some cases superior when compared to healthcare worker collected NT swabs from COVID-19 suspected participants. We report for the first time the analytical limit of detection of 10-2 and 100 pfu/ml for saliva and swabs respectively. Saliva is a easily self-collected, highly sensitive specimen for the detection of SARS-CoV-2.


2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 776-780
Author(s):  
Elena Todirascu Ciornea ◽  
Gabriela Dumitru ◽  
Dragomir Coprean ◽  
Tigran Lucian Mandalian ◽  
Razvan Stefan Boiangiu ◽  
...  

Natural contaminants, especially mycotoxins, pose a challenge since they are found in a wide range of agricultural crops and differ significantly in chemical structure and symptomatology in humans and signs of disease in animals following exposure to these chemical agents. Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites produced by a diverse group of fungi that contaminate agricultural crops prior to harvest or during storage post-harvest and different species including humans, poultry, swine and fish. Food contamination by mycotoxins is a risk to human and animal health being responsible for significant economic losses and can exhibit a broad range of effects including carcinogenicity, neurotoxicity and developmental toxicity. In the present paper was tested the influence of patulin (PAT, 70 mg/L) and kojic acid (KA, 100, 204 and 284 mg/L) on the activity of antioxidant enzymes (CAT and GPX), MDA (lipid peroxidation marker) but also on memory and anxious behavior in the Danio rerio experimental model.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irum Naz Qureshi ◽  
Aneela Tahira ◽  
Khoulwod Aljadoa ◽  
Ali M. Alsalme ◽  
Asma A. Al-Othman ◽  
...  

Abstract The successful monitoring of the anticancer drugs using nanostructured materials is very important but very challenging task. Beside this, uniform and ultra-small size of metal oxide nanoparticles is highly needed in order to enhance the catalytic activity which could result into the development of sensitive and selective electrochemical sensors for methotrexate (MTX). For this purpose, we have used a simple approach involving the polyaniline (PANI) as a sacrificing template for the growth of uniform and ultra-small Co3O4 nanoparticles by hydrothermal method. The structure, shape, composition and phase purity were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform Infrared (FTIR) techniques. The average size of Co3O4 nanoparticles was below 50 nm. The cubic crystallography is confirmed for the Co3O4 nanoparticles. The electrochemical properties of PANI assisted Co3O4 nanoparticles for MTX drug was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) in Britton–Robinson buffer (BRB) of pH 3.5. The PANI assisted Co3O4 nanoparticles were found highly sensitive for the MTX drug and exhibited a linear range from 5-75µM of MTX and limit of detection for the modified electrode was estimated 1.98µM. The proposed electrochemical sensor is low cost, simple, highly sensitive and selective towards MTX detection. The synthetic methodology using the conducting polymer as a sacrificing template for the growth of controlled and ultra-small Co3O4 nanoparticles can be utilized for the wide range of electrochemical applications.


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