Quantum dot nanobead-based multiplexed immunochromatographic assay for simultaneous detection of aflatoxin B1 and zearalenone

Immunochromatographic assay (ICA) is a promising technology for on-site detection. Nonetheless, the wide-scale application of ICA is hindered by several disadvantages, such as poor reproducibility, low sensitivity, and single-target detection. Thus, a novel quantum dot nanobead (QB)-based multiplexed ICA (QB-ICA) with multiple test lines was developed in this study for the simultaneous quantitative detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and zearalenone (ZEN), where QBs with high luminescence were used as labels to enhance the analytical sensitivity of the ICA. Moreover, a streptavidin (SA)-biotin system, which was undisturbed by the target mycotoxins, was introduced as the signal output for the control line. Consequently, stable and reliable T/C values (ratios of signals on the test line to that of the control line) were obtained as quantitative signals. The proposed QB-ICA demonstrated high sensitivity for the simultaneous detection of AFB1 and ZEN, of which the half-maximal inhibitory concentrations reached as low as 38.98 pg mL-1 and 1.23 ng mL-1, respectively. At 10% competitive inhibition concentration, the limit detections (LOD) were 1.65 and 59.15 pg mL-1 for AFB1 and ZEN, respectively. The average recoveries of the intra- and inter-assays ranged from 81.77% to 119.70% and from 94.18% to 111.4% for AFB1 and ZEN quantification, respectively, and the variation coefficients were less than 12%, thereby indicating that the proposed method is highly accurate and robust. These findings suggest that QB-ICA using SA-biotin system as the signal output of control line is an excellent point-of-care platform for the rapid screening of mycotoxins.