Nanocomposites and nanomaterials

Fluorescent sensor systems for zearalenone and aflatoxin B1 detection based on nanostructured polymer membranes
Sergeyeva T.A.1, Yarynka D.V.1,2, Piletska O.V.3, Linnik R.P. 4, Zaporozhets O.A.4, Brovko O.O.5, Piletsky S.A.3, El’skaya A.V. 1
1 Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics. 150 Zabolotnogo str., Kyiv-03143, Ukraine. E-mail: t_sergeyeva@yahoo.co.uk
2 National University “Kyiv Mohyla Academy”2 Skovorody str., Kyiv-04070, Ukraine
3 University of Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
4 Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, 64/13 Volodymyrska str., Kyiv-01601, Ukraine
5 Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 48 Kharkivske Shosse, Kiev-02160, Ukraine

Fluorescent sensor systems based on nanostructured molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) membranes were developed for detection of trace amounts of aflatoxin B1 and zearalenone in food products and feeding stuffs. The MIP membranes were synthesized using the method of in situ polymerization. The data of computational modeling (molecular dynamics) were used for selection of the optimal functional monomer necessary for the formation of nanostructured receptor sites in the polymer structure capable of the efficient mycotoxin recognition. The sensor response is registered after selective adsorbtion of the analytes by the nanostructured receptor sites in the MIP membranes’ structure. It is generated by the UV-irradiation, which initiates natural fluorescence of the adsorbed mycotoxins, while intensity of fluorescence is proportional to the analyte concentration in the sample. The MIP membranes provide selective recognition of mycotoxins as compared to their close structural analogues. The developed sensor systems provide detection limits 15 ng/ml and 1 µg/ml for aflatoxin B1 and zearalenone detection, respectively. The possibility of their application for analysis of food and feeding stuffs as well as waste waters was demonstrated. Storage stability of the proposed sensor systems is 18 months. The sensor systems are easy-to-use and provide fast, efficient and inexpensive analysis. 
Acknowledgement. Financial support from Ministry of Education and Sciences of Ukraine, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and Arterium Corporation are gratefully acknowledged.