An improved up-conversion nanoparticles-based immunochromatographic assay for rapid detection of zearalenone in cereals.

A novel improved up-conversion nanoparticles-based immunochromatographic assay (IUCNPs-ICA) was developed for the detection of zearalenone (ZEN). Lu3+-doped UCNPs were synthesized using the solvothermal method, and the UCNPs doped with 30 % Lu3+ displayed optimal optical properties. The IUCNPs-ICA was subsequently developed for the detection of ZEN in cereals under optimized conditions. The detection time and limit of detection (LOD) were 10 min and 0.1 µg/L, respectively. Moreover, a good linear relationship was observed from 0 to 100 µg/L ZEN (r2 = 0.9946) and high specificity for other mycotoxins. LODs in spiked maize and wheat reached 0.16 µg/kg, and recovery rates were 82.11-100.76 % and 79.64-98.51 %. There was good consistency between the results of IUCNPs-ICA, colloidal gold-ICA, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the detection of natural cereal samples. The collective results support the utility of IUCNPs-ICA as a reliable on-site screening method for ZEN residue analysis in various cereals.