An ultrasensitive CH3NH3PbBr3 quantum dots@SiO2-based electrochemiluminescence sensing platform using an organic electrolyte for aflatoxin B1 detection in corn oil

• Published in: Food chemistry 2022-10, Vol.390, p.133200-133200, Article 133200
• Main Authors: Li, Jingwen, Wang, Qian, Xiong, Chengyi, Deng, Qianchun, Zhang, Xiuhua, Wang, Shengfu, Chen, Miao-Miao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aflatoxin B1; CH3NH3PbBr3 quantum dots@SiO2; Corn oil; Electrochemiluminescence; Ethyl acetate; Sensing
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.133200

[Display omitted] •MAPB QDs@SiO2 nanocomposites are synthesized by a one-pot procedure.•MAPB QDs@SiO2 shows greatly enhanced ECL response in an organic electrolyte.•Ultrasensitive molecularly imprinted ECL sensors are constructed to detect AFB1.•This sensing platform is successfully applied for AFB1 assay in real corn oil. Mycotoxins contamination, especially aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in edible oils, is a health hazard. Therefore, AFB1 trace analysis methods are urgently needed. Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) is a popular sensing method because of its low background interference and high sensitivity. However, existing ECL assays for AFB1 detection are based on aqueous rather than oil systems. Herein, we report a CH3NH3PbBr3 quantum dots (MAPB QDs)@SiO2-based ECL sensor for AFB1 quantification in corn oil using an organic electrolyte. The luminophore loading and stability of the MAPB QDs@SiO2 particles were significantly improved compared to those of bulky MAPB materials, resulting in an enhanced ECL response. Further, exploiting molecular imprinting technology, an ECL sensor for AFB1 detection with an ultra-low detection limit of 8.5 fg/mL was prepared. The reliability of the sensor was confirmed by comparable recoveries of corn oil samples with those obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography, indicating its potential for food safety evaluation.