Thin layer chromatography combined with surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy for rapid sensing aflatoxins

Abstract A fast and facile method was developed for on-site detection of aflatoxins (AFs) in moldy agricultural products using thin layer chromatography combined with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TLC-SERS). Four different AFs were successfully separated by TLC and then a small portable Raman spectrometer, with gold colloids as the SERS-active substrate, was applied to identify the separated spots. TLC-SERS application to on-site detection of AFs was systematically investigated. Qualitative and quantitative AF detection was found to be easily accomplished and limits of detection were estimated to be 1.5 × 10 -6 , 1.1 × 10 -5 , 1.2 × 10 -6 , and 6.0 × 10 -7 M for AFB 1 , AFB 2 , AFG 1 , and AFG 2 , respectively. The proposed method was also highly selective, enabling successful AF identifications in complex extracts from moldy peanuts. The study showed that TLC-SERS could be effectively used for separation and detection of these four AFs, demonstrating good prospects for on-site qualitative screening of agricultural products.