Thin-layer MoS2 and thionin composite-based electrochemical sensing platform for rapid and sensitive detection of zearalenone in human biofluids

Abstract

In this study, a facile electrochemical sensing platform based on thin-layer MoS₂ and thionin (MoS₂-Thi) composites was constructed for the sensitive and rapid detection of zearalenone (ZEA) in human biofluids. MoS₂-Thi composites with a thin-layer MoS₂ structure and large specific surface area were synthesized via a simple ultrasound exfoliation method. To further enhance the performance of the platform but without increasing the complexity of the fabrication process, ZEA antibodies were modified with Pt nanoparticles (Pt NPs) using an environmentally friendly method, where they had a much wider linear range and four times higher sensitivity compared with the original ZEA monoclonal antibody (ZEA-MAb). Under the optimal conditions, the electrochemical responses of the MoS₂-Thi composite-based immunosensor were linear (R² = 0.9915) when the ZEA concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 50 ng mL^-1. The proposed immunosensor could detect ZEA at concentrations as low as 0.005 ng mL^-1 with excellent selectivity. The immunosensor exhibited acceptable stability with high reproducibility and accuracy, and it was applied successfully for determining ZEA in human plasma and urine samples. Our findings indicated that the proposed MoS₂-Thi composite-based electrochemical sensing platform provides a new approach for the rapid and sensitive bioanalysis of ZEA, and it may also be extended to other mycotoxins for multiplex detection.

Keywords: Biofluid; Immunosensor; Platinum nanoparticle-modified antibody; Thin-layer MoS(2) and thionin composite; Zearalenone.