Rapid detection of zearalenone and its metabolite in corn flour with the immunochromatographic test strip

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycotoxin produced by fungal species which are widespread in nature and commonly contaminate many cereal grains, such as wheat, maize, corn, barley, and other cereal grains. An immunochromatographic (ICA) test strip was developed for the rapid simultaneous detection of ZEN and its metabolite in corn flour samples. For the ICA test, antigen (ZEN-BSA) and goat anti-mouse IgG were, respectively, drawn on nitrocellulose membrane as control line and test line. Under the optimized condition, the cut-off limits of test strips for ZEN, α-ZAL, and β-ZAL were found to be 0.5 ng/mL in 0.01 M PBS and 50 ng/mL in corn flour samples, meanwhile α-ZOL, β-ZOL, and ZEA were found to be 1 ng/mL in 0.01 M PBS and 75 ng/mL in corn flour samples. Our data indicate that the ICA is sensitive, rapid, cost-effective, and specific on-site screening for ZEN and its metabolite.