Advancing food Safety: Two-plex electrochemical biosensor for mycotoxin detection in food matrices

Detecting foodborne toxins like Aflatoxin B1 and Zearalenone remains a pressing global health concern due to their impact on food safety. Conventional detection techniques lack the required sensitivity and efficiency, showcasing the urgent need for advanced, rapid detection solutions. This study presents a portable, non-faradaic electrochemical sensing platform specifically designed for quick and accurate detection of these toxins in corn flour. Featuring a short assay time of 5 minutes, the 2-plex platform leverages antibodies specific to Aflatoxin B1 and Zearalenone, achieving detection limits of 0.005 ng/mL and 0.05 ng/mL, respectively. The system offers a dynamic detection range of 0.01–9.151 ng/mL for Aflatoxin B1 and 0.1–25.6 ng/mL for Zearalenone. The platform demonstrates consistent performance, maintaining inter- and intra-study coefficient of variation (%CV) below 20%. Validation against benchtop and outsource laboratory data confirms its real-world applicability. This user-friendly device holds promise for on-site toxin detection, enhancing food safety and public health. • Development of an electrochemical sensor for mycotoxin detection. • Immunoassay-based two-plex sensor platform with enhanced modification. • Simultaneous detection of Aflatoxin B1 and Zearalenone in corn flour matrices. • Performance comparison with outsourced laboratory results, demonstrating strong correlation and reliability. • Portable device validated for on-field sensing applications, offering rapid and efficient detection.