A Cu/β-cyclodextrin/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite for efficient and multi-aflatoxin detection in rice, ginger...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Food Safety

Background:

• Aflatoxins (AFs) are significant mycotoxins contaminating food, posing risks to human and animal health.
• Efficient methods for detecting and quantifying AFs are crucial for ensuring food safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a sensitive solid-phase extraction method for aflatoxin analysis.
• To prepare and characterize a novel copper/β-cyclodextrin/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite (Cu/β-CD/rGO) for aflatoxin preconcentration.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of the Cu/β-CD/rGO nanocomposite using FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, and TEM.
• Optimization of solid-phase extraction parameters (pH, adsorbent amount, sample volume, desorption solvent, salt concentration) using central composite design (CCD).
• Analysis of four aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2) using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD).

Main Results:

• The Cu/β-CD/rGO nanocomposite was successfully synthesized and characterized.
• The method demonstrated good linearity (0.08-5.4 ng g⁻¹) and low limits of detection (0.06-0.53 ng g⁻¹) and quantification (0.20-1.62 ng g⁻¹).
• Satisfactory recoveries (83.5-109.0%) and good precision (RSDs 2.4-8.6%) were achieved in spiked real food samples (rice, bean, ginger).

Conclusions:

• The developed Cu/β-CD/rGO nanocomposite solid-phase extraction method is highly sensitive, effective, and convenient for trace analysis of aflatoxins.
• This method provides a valuable tool for ensuring food safety by accurately detecting harmful mycotoxins in diverse food matrices.
• The study highlights the potential of nanocomposite materials in advanced analytical applications for food safety monitoring.