Molecularly imprinted polymer-based field-effect transistor for real-time, highly selective, and sensitive aflatoxin...

In food, the simple and on-site quantitative detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a known human carcinogen, remains a significant challenge. Shelf-stable detection methods compatible with portable electronics are scarce. This study proposes a cost-effective and promising field-effect transistor (FET) sensor technology as a potential solution. In tandem with a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) biomimetic antibody, we fabricated an FET-type sensor that uses poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) as a semiconductor to detect AFB1. The developed FET sensor exhibited high selectivity against structurally similar mycotoxins, such as zearalenone, ochratoxin A, aflatoxin G1, aflatoxin G2, and aflatoxin B2, while showing high response to low-level concentrations of AFB1 at 1 and 10 ppb. Moreover, the sensor enabled AFB1 detection across 0.35-100 ppb range. To the best of our knowledge, this study marks the first successful real-time direct sensing of a mycotoxin using MIP and FET technology, a breakthrough that could lead to new detection strategies.