Advances in Food Science and Technology

Advances in Food Science and Technology | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 025–030

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AFST/000244

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: Development of an Electrochemical Immunosensor for Rapid Quantification of Aflatoxin B1 in Maize Crops

Names of Authors: Kofi Mensah¹, Sanjay Nair²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹School of Nutrition and Food Security, University of Digital Sciences, Accra, Ghana; ²Department of Analytical Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India

Abstract: Abstract: Contamination of staple grain crops by Mycotoxins, specifically dangerous Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), poses severe public health threats and economic constraints across global import pathways. Standard diagnostic methods like high-performance liquid chromatography require destructive sample handling, prolonged processing timelines, and expensive laboratory infrastructure. This paper details the development of a highly sensitive, portable electrochemical immunosensor designed to perform rapid screening for AFB1 contamination directly at field locations. The sensor surface was engineered by coating gold nanoparticles onto a carbon screen-printed electrode, followed by the immobilization of specific anti-AFB1 antibodies. Differential pulse voltammetry measurements verified a linear response range for AFB1 concentrations from 0.5 to 50.0 ng/mL, with a low limit of detection (LOD) established at 0.15 ng/mL. Validation testing across verified contaminated maize samples showed a recovery percentage of 96.8% to 102.4%, aligning closely with laboratory reference standards. The sensor executed complete analysis loops within 8 min per sample, providing a viable tool for decentralized safety monitoring.

Keywords: Aflatoxin B1, Mycotoxin Detection, Electrochemical Immunosensor, Gold Nanoparticles, Maize Safety, Rapid Field Testing

Manuscript Timeline: Received: March 10, 2026; Revised: May 15, 2026; Accepted: June 22, 2026; Published: August 28, 2026

Citation: Mensah, K., & Nair, S. (2026). Development of an Electrochemical Immunosensor for Rapid Quantification of Aflatoxin B1 in Maize Crops. Advances in Food Science and Technology, 14(8), 025–030. DOI: 10.46882/2026/AFST/000244

Subscribe to read the full article: https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/subscribe-to-read