AIEgen-Based Metal-Organic Framework Probe Enhancing Fluorescence and Antibody Activity in Lateral Flow Immunoassay for Zearalenone Detection

To enable on-site detection of ZEN toxin in agricultural samples, an POC LFIA detection method based on monoclonal antibody was established through an advanced MAF materials. AIEgens have garnered significant attention for their unique fluorescence properties at high concentrations, overcoming the ACQ limitation of traditional luminescent materials. MAF is a Zr⁴⁺-based AIE metal-organic framework that amplifies AIEgen fluorescence and enables crosslinker-free antibody assembly through its intrinsic affinity for antibodies. This preserves antibody activity while ensuring detection sensitivity through targeted Fab exposure. The MAF-LFIA exhibited good linearity with an ultralow limit of detection of 0.0021   ng/mL (approximately 0.42   ng/g in corn samples), a cut-off value of 5   ng/mL, and recoveries of 99.9-102.3% in cornmeal. These results indicated that this platform provides a robust strategy for real-time monitoring of food contaminants in complex matrices.