An ultrasensitive, homogeneous fluorescence quenching immunoassay integrating separation and detection of aflatoxin M1 based on magnetic graphene composites.

A homogeneous fluorescence quenching immunoassay is described for simultaneous separation and detection of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk. The novel assay relies on monoclonal antibody (mAb) functionalized Fe3O4 decorated reduced-graphene oxide (rGO-Fe3O4-mAb) as both capture probe and energy acceptor, combined with tetramethylrhodamine cadaverine-labeled aflatoxin B1 (AFB1-TRCA) as the energy donor. In the assay, AFB1-TRCA binds to rGO-Fe3O4-mAb in the absence of AFM1, quenching the fluorescence of TRCA by resonance energy transfer. Significantly, the immunoassay integrates sample preparation and detection into a single step, by using magnetic graphene composites to avoid washing and centrifugation steps, and the assay can be completed within 10 min. Under optimized conditions, the visual and quantitative detection limits of the assay for AFM1 were 50 and 3.8 ng L-1, respectively, which were significantly lower than those obtained by fluorescence polarization immunoassay using the same immunoreagents. Owing to its operation and highly sensitivity, the proposed assay provides a powerful tool for the detection of AFM1.

Determination of trace aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) residue in milk by an immunochromatographic assay based on (PEI/PSS)4 red silica nanoparticles.

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) residues in milk pose a major threat to human health, so there is an urgent need for a simple, rapid, and sensitive method for the determination of trace AFM1 in milk. In this study, a competitive immunochromatographic assay (ICA), using visual (PEI/PSS)4 red silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) as signal amplification probes, was used for the highly sensitive detection of AFM1. The (PEI/PSS)4 red SiNPs were used to label AFM1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) to prepare ICA for the detection of AFM1. After exploring the optimal conditions of mAb and immunoprobe dosage conditions, the lowest visual detection limit (VDL) of AFM1 in phosphate-buffered saline with Tween 20 (PBST, 10 mM, pH 7.4, containing 1% BSA, 3% sucrose, 1% trehalose, and 0.5% Tween 20) can reach 0.1 pg/mL. The intuitive visually visible value of AFM1 in both PBST and milk was 10 pg/mL. The results showed that the immunochromatographic system based on high chroma color (PEI/PSS)4 red SiNPs has high sensitivity and broad application prospects for the detection of trace AFM1 residues in milk. The high chroma (PEI/PSS)4 red SiNPs are expected to be a convenient biomarker for improving the sensitivity of immune chromatography bands. Graphical abstract The schematic diagram shows the detection principle. In this work, in the competitive experiment, (PEI/PSS)4 red SiNPs were selected as visual labeling materials, and the specific antibody combined with the labeled material was selected as an immune probe. The AFM1-BSA antigen coupled with the macromolecular BSA was fixed on the T line of the nitrocellulose (NC) membrane. The AFM1 in sample solution competes with AFM1-BSA for the specific binding site of immune probe. The detection sensitivity of this method for AFM1 is obtained by judging the change of the red signal intensity produced by the positive sample, compared with the color at the T line of the negative sample.

AFM1 Detection in Milk by Fab' Functionalized Si3N4 Asymmetric Mach-Zehnder Interferometric Biosensors.

Aflatoxins (AF) are naturally occurring mycotoxins, produced by many species of Aspergillus. Among aflatoxins, Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is one of the most frequent and dangerous for human health. The acceptable maximum level of AFM1 in milk according to EU regulation is 50 ppt, equivalent to 152 pM, and 25 ppt, equivalent to 76 pM, for adults and infants, respectively. Here, we study a photonic biosensor based on Si 3 N 4 asymmetric Mach-Zehnder Interferometers (aMZI) functionalized with Fab' for AFM1 detection in milk samples (eluates). The minimum concentration of AFM1 detected by our aMZI sensors is 48 pM (16.8 pg/mL) in purified and concentrated milk samples. Moreover, the real-time detection of the ligand-analyte binding enables the study of the kinetics of the reaction. We measured the kinetic rate constants of the Fab'-AFM1 interaction.

Evaluation of different competitive immunoassays for aflatoxin M1 determination in milk samples by means of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Haptens (i.e. biomolecules which molecular weight is lower than 10 kDa) determination by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is usually performed by means of competitive immunoassays. In these immunoassays, analyte quantification is indirectly carried out using two different tracer species (i.e. antibodies or antigen-protein conjugates). However, the benefits (and drawbacks) derived from using a given tracer species have not been systematically investigated so far. The goal of this work is to evaluate the influence of the tracer species employed in competitive immunoassays on the analytical figures of merit for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) determination in milk samples. To this end, three different strategies have been developed and evaluated, namely: (i) antibody binding inhibition assay (ABIA); (ii) capture inhibition assay (CIA); and (iii) capture bridge inhibition assay (CBIA). Experimental results show that the use of the antibody as tracer species (as in the ABIA approach) affords better analytical figures of merit for AFM1 determination than using the antigen-protein conjugate as the tracer one (as in the CIA and CBIA strategies). The limit of detection afforded by ABIA strategy (i.e. 0.1 ng kg-1) for AFM1 determination was 1000-fold and 50-fold lower regarding the CIA and CBIA strategies, respectively. In the case of the ABIA approach, the characteristics of the metal nanoparticle label employed to detect the tracer species is critical on the analytical figures of merit. However, when the hapten-protein conjugates are used as tracer species, immunocomplex formation is severely hampered by steric effects caused by the protein moiety and, consequently, the characteristics of the metal nanoparticle label is not critical in the immunoassay performance. The different immunoassay strategies were successfully validated for AFM1 determination in milk samples using a certified reference material of whole milk powder (ERM-BD283) according to European Conformity guidelines for analytical methods of food contaminants and mycotoxins. Compared to ELISA, the immunoassay developed for AFM1 determination in milk samples improve limits of detection up to 10-fold.

Doses of Immunogen Contribute to Specificity Spectrums of Antibodies against Aflatoxin.

Research about antibody specificity spectra was conducted to develop single-specific antibodies or broad-specific antibodies. Aflatoxins, as one class of high-toxicity mycotoxins, were selected as the research targets to investigate the effect of the immunogen dose on antibody specificity spectra. For this aim, 16 monoclonal antibodies were induced by low or high doses of aflatoxin B1-BSA, and 34 monoclonal antibodies were induced by low or high doses of aflatoxin M1-BSA. The specificities of the antibodies induced, whether by aflatoxin B1 conjugate or aflatoxin M1 conjugate, indicated that the low dose of the immunogen induced a narrow spectrum of antibody specificity, while the high dose of the immunogen showed an advantage to form a broad spectrum of antibody specificity. Therefore, this report provides important information for the development of new antibodies against small molecules like aflatoxins.

Potential preventive role of lactic acid bacteria against aflatoxin M1 immunotoxicity and genotoxicity in mice.

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a mycotoxin produced by numerous Aspergillus species in pre- or post-harvest cereals and milk. Exposure to AFM1 imparts potent economic losses in the livestock industry. Toxicologically, it also causes severe immune system problems. The aims of this study were to evaluate a new AFM1-binding/degrading microorganism for biologic detoxification, to examine its ability to degrade AFM1 in liquid medium, and to evaluate its potential for in vivo preventative effects against AFM1-induced immunotoxicity and genotoxicity in mice. Lactobacillus plantarum MON03 (LP) isolated from Tunisian artisanal butter was found to display significant binding ability to AFM1 in PBS (93%) within 24 h of incubation. Further, the LP was able to tolerate gastric acidity, bile salts, and adhere efficiently to Caco-3 cells in vitro. The in vivo study used Balb/c mice that received either vehicle (control), LP only (at 1 × 10(9)CFU/L, ∼1 mg/kg bw), AFM1 (100 mg/kg bw), or AFM1 + LP daily for 15 days (by gavage); two other groups received a single dose of colchicine (4 mg/kg) or mitomycin C (1 mg/kg) as positive controls for induction of micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations, respectively. The results showed that, compared to in control mice, AFM1 treatment led to significantly decreased body weight gains, and caused cytotoxic/genotoxic effects as indicated by increases in frequencies of polychromatic erythrocytes, as well as those with micronucleation (PCEMN) and chromosomal aberrations, among bone marrow cells. The concurrent administration of LP with AFM1 strongly reduced the adverse effects of AFM1 on each parameter. Mice receiving AFM1 + LP co-treatment displayed no significant differences in the assayed parameters as compared to the control mice. By itself, the bacteria caused no adverse effects. Based on the data, it is concluded that the test bacteria could potentially be beneficial in the detoxification of AFM1-contaminated foods and feeds for humans and animals.

Flow-based impedimetric immunosensor for aflatoxin analysis in milk products.

Label-free detection technique based on impedance was investigated for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and aflatoxin M2 (AFM2) analysis in milk products. The impedance change resulting from antigen-antibody interaction was studied using a two-electrode setup made up of silver (Ag) wire. Processed milk such as drinking yogurt and flavored milk samples were analyzed in a flow-based setup. Two microflow pumps were used to construct the flow system where analytes (AFM1 and AFM2) were injected and impedance was measured using functionalized Ag wire electrodes. The flow system was optimized by adjusting both inlet and outlet flows to maintain the reaction volume optimum for impedance measurements. Using Bode plot, the matrix effect was investigated for detection of AFM1 and AFM2 in various matrices. Good recoveries were obtained even at low-AFM1 concentrations in the range of 1-100 pg/mL. The influence of AFM2 on the detection of AFM1 was also investigated. The proposed method provides good scope for online monitoring of such hazardous toxins in milk products.

An ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescent immunoassay for aflatoxin M1 in milk, based on extraction by magnetic graphene and detection by antibody-labeled CdTe quantumn dots-carbon nanotubes nanocomposite.

An ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescent immunoassay (ECLIA) for aflatoxins M1 (ATM1) in milk using magnetic Fe3O4-graphene oxides (Fe-GO) as the absorbent and antibody-labeled cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe QDs) as the signal tag is presented. Firstly, Fe3O4 nanoparticles were immobilized on GO to fabricate the magnetic nanocomposites, which were used as absorbent to ATM1. Secondly, aflatoxin M1 antibody (primary antibody, ATM1 Ab1), was attached to the surface of the CdTe QDs-carbon nanotubes nanocomposite to form the signal tag (ATM1 Ab1/CdTe-CNT). The above materials were characterized. The optimal experimental conditions were obtained. Thirdly, Fe-GO was employed for extraction of ATM1 in milk. Results indicated that it can adsorb ATM1 efficiently and selectively within a large extent of pH from 3.0 to 8.0. Adsorption processes reached 95% of the equilibrium within 10 min. Lastly, the ATM1 with a serial of concentrations absorbed on Fe-GO was conjugated with ATM1 Ab1/CdTe-CNT signal tag based on sandwich immunoassay. The immunocomplex can emit a strong ECL signal whose intensity depended linearly on the logarithm of ATM1 concentration from 1.0 to 1.0 × 10(5) pg/mL, with the detection limit (LOD) of 0.3 pg/mL (S/N = 3). The method was more sensitive for ATM1 detection compared to the ELISA method. Finally, ten samples of milk were tested based on the immunoassay. The method is fast and requires very little sample preparation, which was suitable for high-throughput screening of mycotoxins in food.

Simultaneous and rapid detection of six different mycotoxins using an immunochip.

Mycotoxins are highly toxic contaminants in food, animal feed, and commodities. The study has developed an immunochip for quantifying the concentrations of six mycotoxins: aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin M1, deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin A, T-2 toxin, and zearalenone, which were added to drinking water. The complete antigens (Ags) of the mycotoxins were contact printed and immobilized onto agarose-modified glass slides with 12 physically isolated subarrays, based on the reaction of both diffusion and covalent bond. The optimal concentration of each antigen and antibody (Ab) was obtained using an Ag-Ab immunoassay. Based on the indirect competitive immunoassay for the simultaneous detection of six mycotoxins in one single chip, six standard curves with good logistic correlation (R(2)>0.97) were respectively plotted. The working ranges (0.04-1.69, 0.45-3.90, 20.20-69.23, 35.68-363.18, 0.11-1.81, and 0.08-7.47 ng/mL, respectively) were calculated, as well as the median inhibitory concentrations (0.31±0.04, 1.49±0.21, 34.54±1.30, 134.06±11.75, 0.49±0.05, and 1.54±0.22 ng/mL, respectively), when six mycotoxins were detected simultaneously. Finally, the recovery rates in drinking water generally ranged from 80% to 120% on the same chip, with an intra-assay coefficient of variation lower than 15%. We successfully established an immunochip for simultaneous detection of six mycotoxins within 4h, with advantages of using minimal samples and being visually semiquantitative with our naked eyes. In summary, the method could be developed on one single chip for detecting multiple contaminants in actual samples.

[Using HTS-ELISA method to make anti-aflatoxin M1 monoclonal antibody].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare high-affinity anti-aflatoxin M1 monoclonal antibodies by High Throughput Screening ELISA (HTS-ELISA) METHODS: Balb/C mice were immunized by aflatoxin M1-bovine serum albumin conjugate, and screen secret anti-aflatoxin M1 monoclonal antibody hybridoma by HTS-ELISA. The antibody was characterized. RESULTS: Fourteen hybridoma cell lines which could secret high activity anti-aflatoxin M1 monoclonal antibodies were obtained. The affinity of the purified monoclonal antibody was 5.5 x 10(-10) mol/L. The cross-reactivity of the monoclonal antibody clone against aflatoxin M1, aflatoxin M2, aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin B2, aflatoxin G1, aflatoxin G2, deoxynivalenol and BSA was 100%, 4.5%, 21.5%, 1.0%, 16.6%, 1.0%, 0%, 0%, respectively. The sensitivity of the anti-AFM1 monoclonal antibody binding to aflatoxin M1 was 0.01 microg/L and the linear range for developed indirect competitive ELISA was 0.1 - 10 microg/L aflatoxin M1. The binding inhibition IC50 of the anti-aflatoxin M1 monoclonal antibody was 0.82 microg/L. Assays of milk samples mixed with AFM1 ranging in concentration from 0.25 to 5.0 microg/L gave mean indirect competitive ELISA recovery of 60.3% - 152.8%. CONCLUSION: HTS-ELISA can be used for the preparation of the high-affinity anti-aflatoxin M1 monoclonal antibodies. The anti-aflatoxin M1 monoclonal antibody could be provided as the high quality material in the system of aflatoxin M1 immune detection.

An electrochemical immunosensor for aflatoxin M1 determination in milk using screen-printed electrodes.

The production and assembling of disposable electrochemical AFM1 immunosensors, which can combine the high selectivity of immunoanalysis with the ease of the electrochemical probes, has been carried out. Firstly immunoassay parameters such as amounts of antibody and labelled antigen, buffer and pH, length of time and temperature of each steps (precoating, coating, binding and competition steps) were evaluated and optimised in order to set up a spectrophotometric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) procedure. This assay exhibited a working range between 30 and 160 ppt in a direct competitive format. Then electrochemical immunosensors were fabricated by immobilising the antibodies directly on the surface of screen-printed electrodes (SPEs), and allowing the competition to occur between free AFM1 and that conjugated with peroxidase (HRP) enzyme. The electrochemical technique chosen was the chronoamperometry, performed at -100 mV. Furthermore, studies of interference and matrix effects have been performed to evaluate the suitability of the developed immunosensors for the analysis of aflatoxin M1 directly in milk. Results have shown that using screen-printed electrodes aflatoxin M1 can be measured with a detection limit of 25 ppt and with a working range between 30 and 160 ppt. A comparison between the spectrophotometric and electrochemical procedure showed that a better detection limit and shorter analysis time could be achieved using electrochemical detection.

[Establishment of monoclonal antibodies against aflatoxin M1].

The monoclonal antibodies against aflatoxin M1 were established. Spleen cells from Balb/c mice immunized with AFM1-oxime-BSA conjugate were fused with murine Sp2/0 myeloma cells. Three hybridoma cell lines secretine monoclonal antibodies against AFM1 were established after the fusion cells subcloned for 3-4 cycles. These antibodies were disignated as 3G2, 3G3 and 6G8, respectively. All of them belonged to the subtype of IgG1. The titres of the antibody in ascites ranged from 1:3.2 x 10(6)-1:20 x 10(6). There was no cross reaction between 6G8 monoclone antibody and other types of aflatoxin.

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies to aflatoxin M1 and molecular modeling studies of related aflatoxins.

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and seven structural analogs were used to investigate the correlation between antibody binding and the conformational and electronic properties of these molecules. Mice were immunized with AFM1-BSA and hybridomas secreting anti-AFM1 antibodies were isolated and characterized. The cross-reactivities of seven structurally similar aflatoxins were determined by competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). In an effort to correlate antibody binding with three-dimensional properties of the analogs, all of the aflatoxins (and the immunogen) were modeled and global energy minima were determined using molecular, mechanical and quantum mechanical methods. The results demonstrate that, for these molecules, loss of optimum structure and introduction of steric hindrance in the portion of the molecule that would fit into the antibody binding site are more important to binding than simply loss of a determinant group. Molecular computational techniques can give reasons for the wide variation in IC50 values observed between structural analogs and can be used as a tool for determining which conformational and electronic properties of molecules are most important for antibody binding.

Determination of aflatoxin Q1 in urine by automated immunoaffinity column clean-up and liquid chromatography.

A liquid chromatographic system with an automated clean-up procedure for aflatoxin Q1 in human urine is described. The samples were cleaned up by using immunoaffinity columns originally designed for aflatoxin M1. The chromatographic system was a C18 column with an acidic mobile phase of acetonitrile-water containing potassium bromide. Fluorescence detection (365/440 nm) of aflatoxin Q1 was enhanced by addition of bromine, using post-column derivatization, which was studied by factorial designs. Average recovery of aflatoxin Q1 in spiked 10-ml urine samples was 88% (R.S.D. = 6.4%) at a level of 50 pg/ml. The determination limit was 49.5 pg/ml urine.

The establishment of rat-mouse hybridomas secreting anti-aflatoxin M1 antibodies and the properties of their monoclonal antibodies.

After a comparison of anti-AFM1-BSA antibody responses between rat and mouse, the spleen cells of rat with stronger responses were chosen as parent cells for fusing with mouse myeloma cells P3X63-Ag8.653. Through HAT medium selection, RIA screening and cloning, five well growing rat-mouse hybridoma clones were obtained that could secret anti-AFM1 antibodies stably. The results from ELISA and competitive binding RIA further proved that the 5 McAbs are direct against AFM1, with significant cross reaction to its derivative, AFB1. The average affinity constant of the 5 McAbs is 10(9)-10(11) l/M. It signifies that these monoclonals have potential application value for the construction of AF detection kit.