CRISPR/Cas12-driven portable paper-based electrochemical aptasensor based on 0D/2D Au@Ti₃C₂ MXene for AFB1 detection

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a widely distributed and potent carcinogenic small-molecule toxic contaminant, posing significant risks to food safety. Therefore, a portable, cost-effective, and field-deployable method is needed for sensitive detection of AFB1. This study developed a paper-based electrochemical aptasensor integrating CRISPR/Cas12a technology and 0D/2D Au@Ti₃C₂ MXene heterostructure for highly sensitive and rapid detection of AFB1. The aptasensor leveraged the Au@Ti₃C₂ MXene with excellent electron transfer property to amplify the electrochemical signals, while the CRISPR/Cas12a trans-cleavage activity, triggered by AFB1 specific aptamers, enabled high specificity. Utilizing a portable electrochemical workstation, the paper-based electrochemical sensing platform exhibited a linear detection range of 0.5 pg/mL-100 ng/mL with a limit of detection of 0.16 pg/mL and achieved recoveries of 93.0%-106.0% in spiked real samples, demonstrating promise as a rapid and portable tool for on-site analysis of mycotoxins in real samples.