Screening of Food Samples for Zearalenone Toxin Using an Electrochemical Bioassay Based on DNA–Zearalenone Interaction

• Published in: Food analytical methods 2016-09, Vol.9 (9), p.2463-2470
• Main Authors: Sadrabadi, Neda Roustaee, Ensafi, Ali A., Heydari-Bafrooei, Esmaeil, Fazilati, Mohammad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chemistry/Food Science; Food Science; Microbiology
• ISSN: 1936-9751; 1936-976X
• DOI: 10.1007/s12161-016-0437-2

This study was conducted to design a biosensor as a new, rapid, and sensitive tool for investigation of binding of zearalenone with double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). Polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDDA) as a polycation and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) provide a positively charged surface with a high surface area for the immobilization of dsDNA as a polyanion on the surface of pencil graphite electrode (PGE). Using the dsDNA/MWCNT–PDDA-modified PGE, it was possible to detect the interaction of zearalenone with dsDNA, which allowed us to apply the dsDNA-modified electrode for trace determination of zearalenone. The changes at the oxidation signal of adenine were evaluated before/after each modification/immobilization step. By using dsDNA/PDDA–MWCNT/PGE, zearalenone could be detected as low as 0.005 ng mL −1 . The relative standard deviation of five measurements of 0.5 ng mL −1 zearalenone was found to be 4.2 %. Finally, the highly stable electrochemical biosensor was applied to analyze the zearalenone concentration in milk and wheat samples. Graphical Abstract xElectrochemical DNA Biosensor for Zearalenone detection