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Rapid detection of aflatoxin B1 by dummy template molecularly imprinted polymer capped CdTe quantum dots

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Abstract

A novel and sensitive fluorescent sensor was synthesized for the rapid and specific recognition of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) by our combining molecular imprinting techniques with quantum dot technology. Molecularly imprinted polymers coated CdTe quantum dots (MIP@CdTe QDs) were prepared through the Stöber method with 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin as a dummy template. 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane was selected as the functional monomer, and tetraethyl orthosilicate was used as the cross-linking agent. The best molar ratio of 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin to functional monomer to cross-linker was 4:20:15. The MIP@CdTe QD composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Under the optimum conditions, the relative fluorescence intensity of the MIP@CdTe QDs showed adequate linearity with AFB1 concentration over the range from 80 to 400 ng/g. The detection limit is 4 ng/g, according to 3s/K. Finally, the method was successfully applied to the quantitative determination of AFB1 in real samples. The spike recoveries at different spiking levels ranged from 99.20% to 101.78%, which were consistent with those measured by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The method developed for AFB1 detection lays the foundation for rapid detection of trace amounts of other exogenous harmful substances in a complicated matrix.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Macau Science and Technology Development Fund (162/2017/A3) and the Research Committee of the University of Macau (MYRG2018-00239-ICMS and MYRG2014-00089-ICMS-QRCM).

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Author notes

  1. Pengqi Guo and Wu Yang contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China

    Pengqi Guo, Wu Yang, Hao Hu, Yitao Wang & Peng Li

  2. School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi’an, China

    Pengqi Guo

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  1. Pengqi Guo
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  2. Wu Yang
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  3. Hao Hu
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  4. Yitao Wang
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Correspondence to Peng Li.

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Guo, P., Yang, W., Hu, H. et al. Rapid detection of aflatoxin B1 by dummy template molecularly imprinted polymer capped CdTe quantum dots. Anal Bioanal Chem 411, 2607–2617 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-019-01708-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-019-01708-2

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