An enhanced fluorescent sensor system based on molecularly imprinted polymer chips with silver nanoparticles for highly-sensitive zearalenone analysis

A novel enhanced fluorescent sensor system for zearalenone (ZON) determination in flour samples is presented. The ZON-selective molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) films were developed with a computational modelling method and synthesised with cyclododecyl-2,4-dihydroxybenzoate as a “dummy” template and ethylene glycol methacrylate phosphate as a functional monomer acted as the selective recognition elements for ZON fluorescence detection. Spherical silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were embedded in the MIP films’ structure to enhance the sensor sensitivity. The imprinted films showed a high ZON recognition ability compared to non-imprinted films. Various factors that affected the measurement of the analysed sample were investigated and optimised. Embedding the AgNPs in the MIP films’ structure led to an enhanced sensitivity (up to a 200-fold decrease of LOD) compared to unmodified MIP films. This fluorescent sensor system provided ZON analysis with high sensitivity, specificity, and a wider linear dynamic range of 5 ng mL−1 to 25 μg mL−1. An enhanced fluorescent sensor system based on MIP chips with embedded AgNPs could detect trace amounts of ZON in foods and feedstuffs with high sensitivity and selectivity.