Recent advances in electrochemiluminescence sensors for monitoring mycotoxins in food

Background

Mycotoxins in food can cause various diseases (e.g., teratogenic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic). Therefore, developing rapid detection methods for mycotoxins is crucial for food safety. The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) method has received growing attraction to monitor food pollutants in recent years due to its high sensitivity, controllability, fast response, low background interference, and simple operation.

Scope and approach

This paper reviews the progress of ECL methods in detecting mycotoxin (e.g., aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and zearalenone & other mycotoxins) in food in the past five years. In particular, the detection principles for various residual mycotoxins in food by ECL sensors were systematically analyzed, including signal generation, electrodes, luminophores, co-reactants and output signal modes. Finally, the challenges and future development of ECL in detecting food contaminants are briefly discussed.

Key findings and conclusions

The ECL-based methods have been widely used for monitoring mycotoxins in food and have demonstrated excellent detection sensitivity, selectivity, and practicability performance. Additionally, with the unremitting development of electrodes, luminophores, co-reactants, recognition elements and output signal patterns, combined with the integration and promotion of multiple disciplines, the ECL sensors are expected to achieve the rapid, sensitive, and on-site detection of mycotoxins in food.