[Synchronous detection test strip of multiple exogenous mycotoxins in Chinese medicinal materials based on...

Mycotoxin contamination is one of the major causes of quality and safety risks in Chinese medicinal materials. To effectively ensure medication safety, this study established a multiplex and rapid detection method for exogenous fungal mycotoxins in Chinese medicinal materials. Flower-like gold nanoparticles(AuNPs) and gold-labeled probes were characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Key parameters, including the pH of the AuNP solution, antibody dosage, amount of gold-labeled probes, antigen-antibody jetting rate, nitrocellulose membrane selection, and the mixing ratios of multiple gold-labeled antibodies, were optimized. Gold-labeled probes capable of simultaneously detecting aflatoxin B1(AFB1), zearalenone(ZEN), ochratoxin A(OTA), deoxynivalenol(DON), and T-2 toxin(T2) were successfully prepared, with particle sizes of 90.16, 85.81, 83.12, 88.10, and 87.54 nm, respectively. The limit of detection(LOD) for AFB1, ZEN, OTA, DON, and T2 were 2.5, 5, 2.5, 5, and 2.5 ng·mL~(-1), respectively, meeting the mycotoxin limits required by the Chinese Pharmacopoeia for Chinese medicinal materials. The newly developed test strip was compared with LC-MS/MS for the detection of multiple mycotoxins in 85 commercially purchased medicinal materials. The two methods showed identical detection rates, indicating that the technique offers high accuracy, comprehensiveness, sensitivity, and anti-interference capability. Owing to its low cost and high efficiency, the test strip is suitable for large-scale rapid screening in primary-level laboratories, providing technical support for the rapid multi-mycotoxin screening of Chinese medicinal materials.