Nanozyme-based biosensing strategies for aflatoxin detection: Recent advances and perspectives

Aflatoxins (AFs) are among the most toxic mycotoxins, with a profound impact on food safety and health. Consequently, trace-level detection is required, as exemplified by 2 μg/kg for aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) in cereals under European Union guidelines. Although traditional chromatography and immunoassay-based detection methods are reliable, they are often time-consuming and require specialized expertise. Nanozyme-based biosensors have attracted increasing attention because nanozymes provide stable, engineerable, enzyme-mimicking catalytic amplification. In this article, we introduce major AFs, different classes of nanozymes based on composition and site architecture, and provide a detailed discussion of nanozyme-based biosensors for AFs. In addition, we highlight the challenges facing this technology and the ways forward.