A rapid fluorometric method for determination of aflatoxin B1 in plant-derived food by using a thioflavin T-based aptasensor

A fluorometric aptamer-based method is described for the determination of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The fluorescent dye thioflavin T (ThT) forms a complex with the aptamer against AFB1 (aptamer/ThT), and the fluorescence of the complex is strongly enhanced. On addition of AFB1, it will bind to the aptamer and release ThT. The fluorescence of free ThT is much weaker. The fluorescence of the system, best measured at excitation/emission wavelengths of 440/487 nm, drops gradually in the AFB1 concentration range from 0.2 to 200 ng·mL−1, exhibiting good linearity. The detection limits are 0.2 ng·mL−1 in buffer solution, and 1 ng·mL−1 when applied to plant-derived food. The recovery of AFB1 from spiked foodstuff ranges from 74.7% to 121%. The assay can be performed within 20 min.