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Tacrolimus (FK506) is an immunosuppressant drug (ISD) used to prevent organ rejection after transplantation that exhibits a narrow therapeutic window and is subject to wide inter- and intra-individual pharmacokinetic fluctuations requiring careful monitoring. The immunosuppressive capacity of FK506 arises from the formation of a complex with immunophilin FKBP1A. This paper describes the use of FKBP1A as an alternative to common antibodies for biosensing purposes. Bioassays use recombinant FKBP1A fused to the emerald green fluorescent protein (FKBP1A–EmGFP). Samples containing the immunosuppressant are incubated with the recombinant protein, and free FKBP1A–EmGFP is captured by magnetic beads functionalized with FK506 to generate a fluorescence signal. Recombinant receptor–drug interaction is evaluated by using a quartz crystal microbalance and nuclear magnetic resonance. The limit of detection (3 ng mL–1) and dynamic range thus obtained (5–70 ng mL–1) fulfill therapeutic requirements. The assay is selective for other ISD usually coadministered with FK506 and allows the drug to be determined in human whole blood samples from organ transplant patients with results comparing favorably with those of an external laboratory.

Mycotoxins are low molecular weight toxic compounds, which can cause severe health problems in animals and humans. Immunoassays allow rapid, simple and cost-effective screening of mycotoxins. Sandwich assays with a direct readout provide great improvement in terms of selectivity and sensitivity, compared to the widely used competitive assay formats, for the analysis of low molecular weight molecules. In this work, we report a non-competitive fluorescence anti-immune complex (IC) immunoassay, based on the specific recognition of HT-2 toxin with a pair of recombinant antibody fragments, namely antigen-binding fragment (Fab) (anti-HT-2 (10) Fab) and single-chain variable fragment (scFv) (anti-IC HT-2 (10) scFv). The SpyTag and SpyCatcher glue proteins were applied for the first time as a bioconjugation tool for the analysis of mycotoxins. To this aim, a SpyTag-mScarlet-I (fluorescent protein) and scFv-SpyCatcher fusion proteins were constructed, produced and fused in situ during the assay by spontaneous Tag-Catcher binding. The assay showed an excellent sensitivity with an EC50 of 4.8 ± 0.4 ng mL−1 and a dynamic range from 1.7 ± 0.3 to 13 ± 2 ng mL−1, an inter-day reproducibility of 8.5% and a high selectivity towards HT-2 toxin without cross-reactivity with other Fusarium toxins. The bioassay was applied to the analysis of the toxin in an oat reference material and in oat samples, with a LOD of 0.6 µg kg−1, and the results were validated by analysing a certificate reference material and by HPLC–MS/MS. Graphical abstract

Strains of Penicillium spp. are used for fungi-ripened cheeses and Aspergillus spp. routinely contaminate maize and other crops. Some of these strains can produce toxic secondary metabolites (mycotoxins), including the neurotoxin α-cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). In this work, we developed a homogeneous upconversion-resonance energy transfer (UC-RET) immunoassay for the detection of CPA using a novel epitope mimicking peptide, or mimotope, selected by phage display. CPA-specific antibody was used to isolate mimotopes from a cyclic 7-mer peptide library in consecutive selection rounds. Enrichment of antibody binding phages was achieved, and the analysis of individual phage clones revealed four different mimotope peptide sequences. The mimotope sequence, ACNWWDLTLC, performed best in phage-based immunoassays, surface plasmon resonance binding analyses, and UC-RET-based immunoassays. To develop a homogeneous assay, upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP, type NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+) were used as energy donors and coated with streptavidin to anchor the synthetic biotinylated mimotope. Alexa Fluor 555, used as an energy acceptor, was conjugated to the anti-CPA antibody fragment. The homogeneous single-step immunoassay could detect CPA in just 5 min and enabled a limit of detection (LOD) of 30 pg mL-1 (1.5 μg kg-1) and an IC50 value of 0.36 ng mL-1. No significant cross-reactivity was observed with other co-produced mycotoxins. Finally, we applied the novel method for the detection of CPA in spiked maize samples using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) as a reference method. This work has been funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MSIU) (RTI2018-096410-B-C21, PID2021-127457OB-C21 and PID2019-105237 GB-I00). FP acknowledges the MSIU for an FPU contract. Sí

Graphical abstract Antibodies are widely employed as biorecognition elements for the detection of a plethora of compounds including food and environmental contaminants, biomarkers, or illicit drugs. They are also applied in therapeutics for the treatment of several disorders. Recent recommendations from the EU on animal protection and the replacement of animal-derived antibodies by non-animal-derived ones have raised a great controversy in the scientific community. The application of recombinant antibodies is expected to achieve a high growth rate in the years to come thanks to their versatility and beneficial characteristics in comparison to monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, such as stability in harsh conditions, small size, relatively low production costs, and batch-to-batch reproducibility. This review describes the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of recombinant antibodies including antigen-binding fragments (Fab), single-chain fragment variable (scFv), and single-domain antibodies (VHH) and their application in food analysis with especial emphasis on the analysis of biotoxins, antibiotics, pesticides, and foodborne pathogens. Although the wide application of recombinant antibodies has been hampered by a number of challenges, this review demonstrates their potential for the sensitive, selective, and rapid detection of food contaminants.

The development of two different immunoassays for the determination of fumonisin B1 in wheat samples is reported. A previously described mimopeptide for fumonisin B1 (FB1) was used to produce fusion proteins in combination with two different luciferases: Gaussia luciferase (GLuc) and NanoLuc luciferase (NLuc). The production, expression and the development of two immunoassays based on these fusion proteins (A2- GLuc and A2-NLuc) is detailed. The assay showing the best performance, A2-NLuc, with a limit of detection of 0.61 ngmL 1 and a dynamic range from 1.9 to 95 ngmL 1 , was employed for the analysis of spiked wheat samples, a reference matrix material, as well as naturally contaminated wheat samples. The recoveries obtained in the spiked samples were acceptable, between 81.5 and 109%, with relative standard deviations lower than 14%. The analysis of naturally contaminated wheat was validated by a liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass detection method.

Mycotoxins are low molecular weight toxic compounds, which can cause severe health problems in animals and humans. Immunoassays allow rapid, simple and cost-effective screening of mycotoxins. Sandwich assays with a direct readout provide great improvement in terms of selectivity and sensitivity, compared to the widely used competitive assay formats, for the analysis of low molecular weight molecules. In this work, we report a non-competitive fluorescence anti-immune complex (IC) immunoassay, based on the specific recognition of HT-2 toxin with a pair of recombinant antibody fragments, namely antigen-binding fragment (Fab) (anti-HT-2 (10) Fab) and single-chain variable fragment (scFv) (anti-IC HT-2 (10) scFv). The SpyTag and SpyCatcher glue proteins were applied for the first time as a bioconjugation tool for the analysis of mycotoxins. To this aim, a SpyTag-mScarlet-I (fluorescent protein) and scFv-SpyCatcher fusion proteins were constructed, produced and fused in situ during the assay by spontaneous Tag-Catcher binding. The assay showed an excellent sensitivity with an EC50 of 4.8 ± 0.4 ng mL

Tenuazonic acid ((5S)-3-acetyl-5-[(2S)-butan-2-yl]-4-hydroxy-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-2-one, TeA) is a widespread Alternaria fungi mycotoxin in food produce. This toxin may be allergenic and provoke hay fever and asthma. Therefore, rapid methods to selectively detect TeA are needed. With this aim, we have engineered a novel trifunctional (red-luminescent, polymerizable, TeA-sensitive) ruthenium(II)-bipyridyl complex with 2,2′-biimidazole. Its peripheral N–H moieties recognize the enolate form of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds (including TeA) in partially aqueous media. Such a binding decreases the luminescence intensity and lifetime (0.2 μs) of the Ru(II) probe. The probe also bears acrylate groups that allow radical copolymerization with methacrylamide and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate in the presence of TeA, to yield 9-nm thick luminescent molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) shells onto 200-nm silica cores. The SiO2@Ru-MIP nanocomposite displays a very fast response (

Mycotoxins can be found as natural contaminants in many foods and feeds, and owing to their toxic effects, it is essential to detect them before they enter the food chain. An interesting approach for the analysis of mycotoxins by competitive immunoassays is the use of epitope-mimicking peptides, or mimotopes, which can replace the toxin conjugates traditionally used in such assays. Mimotopes can be selected from phage-displayed peptide libraries even without any prior knowledge of the antibody–antigen interaction, and after identifying the target specific clones, individual clones can be efficiently amplified in bacteria and used directly in the immunoassay. Following such approach, we have previously selected and identified a dodecapeptide which functions as a mimotope for the mycotoxin fumonisin B1. In this work, we present the development and comparison of various immunoassays based on this mimotope, named A2, which has been used in the phage-displayed format in which it was selected, but also as a fluorescent recombinant fusion protein or as a synthetic peptide. The highest sensitivity was obtained with a magnetic bead–based assay using the synthetic peptide and enzymatic detection which provided a detection limit of 0.029 ng mL−1. Analysis of the binding kinetics by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) further reinforced the suitability of the synthetic peptide for the competitive immunoassays, as this mimotope showed a slightly lower affinity for the target antibody in comparison with the recombinant fusion protein.

Phages are bacterial viruses that have gained a significant role in biotechnology owing to their widely studied biology and many advantageous characteristics. Perhaps the best-known application of phages is phage display that refers to the expression of foreign peptides or proteins outside the phage virion as a fusion with one of the phage coat proteins. In 2018, one half of the Nobel prize in chemistry was awarded jointly to George P. Smith and Sir Gregory P. Winter "for the phage display of peptides and antibodies." The outstanding technology has evolved and developed considerably since its first description in 1985, and today phage display is commonly used in a wide variety of disciplines, including drug discovery, enzyme optimization, biomolecular interaction studies, as well as biosensor development. A cornerstone of all biosensors, regardless of the sensor platform or transduction scheme used, is a sensitive and selective bioreceptor, or a recognition element, that can provide specific binding to the target analyte. Many environmentally or pharmacologically interesting target analytes might not have naturally appropriate binding partners for biosensor development, but phage display can facilitate the production of novel receptors beyond known biomolecular interactions, or against toxic or nonimmunogenic targets, making the technology a valuable tool in the quest of new recognition elements for biosensor development. This study was supported by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades RTI2018-096410-B-C21). R.P. acknowledges UCM for a predoctoral grant and R.B. the PI17CIII/00045 grant from the AES-ISCIII program. Sí

Edible insects are widely consumed in Africa, Asia, Oceania and Latin America, but less commonly so in Western countries. Since the turn of the millennium, however, entomophagy has aroused growing interest worldwide in response to the increasing scarcity of food resources. In fact, edible insects can be a source of high-quality protein, and also of fat, energy, minerals and vitamins. However, the lack of regulatory guidelines for microbiologically or chemically hazardous agents potentially present in these new foods (e.g., mycotoxins) may make their consumption unsafe. In this work, we developed an environmentally friendly analytical method using natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES or natural DES) in combination with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) for the simultaneous determination of six mycotoxins of great concern owing to their toxic effects on humans and animals (namely, fumonisin B1, fumonisin B2, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, ochratoxin A and mycophenolic acid) in insect-based food products. The target mycotoxins were co-extracted from cricket flour by using the optimum DES composition (namely, a mixture of choline chloride and urea, in a 1:2 mole ratio, containing 15% water which resulted in the highest extraction recoveries for all toxins). An experimental design method (Fractional Factorial Design (FFD) was used to examine the influence of the operational variables DES volume and water content, amount of sample, extraction time and extraction temperature on the extraction efficiency for each mycotoxin. Under optimum conditions, extraction recoveries were close to 100% except for fumonisin B2 (70%) and T-2 toxin (50%), with relative standard deviations (RSDs) below 13% in all cases. The proposed NADES-UHPLC–MS/MS method was validated in accordance with the European Commission 2002/657/EC and 2006/401/EC decisions, and used to determine the target compounds in cricket flour, silkworm pupae powder and black cricket powder., This work was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO, Projects RTI2018-096410-B-C21 and AGL2017-89417-R). F.P. acknowledges award of a pre-doctoral FPU grant by the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, and G.A.-R. a “Juan de la Cierva” postdoctoral grant by MINECO.

International audience

Food safety and quality regulations inevitably call for sensitive and accurate analytical methods to detect harmful contaminants in food and to ensure safe food for the consumer. Both novel and well-established biorecognition elements, together with different transduction schemes, enable the simple and rapid analysis of various food contaminants. Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are inorganic nanocrystals that convert near-infrared light into shorter wavelength emission. This unique photophysical feature, along with narrow emission bandwidths and large anti-Stokes shift, render UCNPs excellent optical labels for biosensing because they can be detected without optical background interferences from the sample matrix. In this review, we show how this exciting technique has evolved into biosensing platforms for food quality and safety monitoring and highlight recent applications in the field.

Due to increasing food safety standards, the analysis of mycotoxins has become essential in the food industry. In this work, we have developed a competitive upconversion-linked immunosorbent assay (ULISA) for the analysis of zearalenone (ZEA), one of the most frequently encountered mycotoxins in food worldwide. Instead of a toxin-conjugate conventionally used in competitive immunoassays, we designed a ZEA mimicking peptide extended by a biotin-linker and confirmed its excellent suitability to mimic ZEA by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis. Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP, type NaYF4:Yb,Tm) served as background-free optical label for the detection of the peptide mimetic in the competitive ULISA. Streptavidin-conjugated UCNPs were prepared by click reaction using an alkyne-PEG-neridronate linker. The UCNP conjugate clearly outperformed conventional labels such as enzymes or fluorescent dyes. With a limit of detection of 20 pg mL−1 (63 pM), the competitive ULISA is well applicable to the detection of ZEA at the levels set by the European legislation. Moreover, the ULISA is specific for ZEA and its metabolites (α- and β-zearalenol) without significant cross-reactivity with other related mycotoxins. We detected ZEA in spiked and naturally contaminated maize samples using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) as a reference method to demonstrate food analysis in real samples.

The development of a bioluminescent immunosensor is reported for the determination of zearalenone (ZEA) based on a peptide mimetic identified by phage display. The peptide mimetic GW, with a peptide sequence GWWGPYGEIELL, was used to create recombinant fusion proteins with the bioluminescent Gaussia luciferase (GLuc) that were directly used as tracers for toxin detection in a competitive immunoassay without the need for secondary antibodies or further labeling. The bioluminescent sensor, based on protein G–coupled magnetic beads for antibody immobilization, enabled determination of ZEA with a detection limit of 4.2 ng mL−1 (corresponding to 420 μg kg−1 in food samples) and an IC50 value of 11.0 ng mL−1. The sensor performance was evaluated in spiked maize and wheat samples, with recoveries ranging from 87 to 106% (RSD

Homogeneous immunoassays represent an attractive alternative to traditional heterogeneous assays due to their simplicity, sensitivity, and speed. On the basis of a previously identified epitope-mimicking peptide, or mimotope, we developed a homogeneous fluorescence quenching immunoassay based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and a recombinant epitope-mimicking fusion protein for the detection of mycotoxin fumonisin B1 (FB1). The fumonisin mimotope was cloned as a fusion protein with a yellow fluorescent protein that could be used directly as the tracer for FB1 detection without the need of labeling or a secondary antibody. Furthermore, owing to the fluorescence quenching ability of AuNPs, a homogeneous immunoassay could be performed in a single step without washing steps to separate the unbound tracer. The homogeneous quenching assay showed negligible matrix effects in 5% wheat extract and high sensitivity for FB1 detection, with a dynamic range from 7.3 to 22.6 ng mL-1, a detection limit of 1.1 ng mL-1, and IC50 value of 12.9 ng mL-1, which was significantly lower than the IC50 value of the previously reported assay using the synthetic counterpart of the same mimotope in a microarray format. The homogeneous assay was demonstrated to be specific for fumonisins B1 and B2, as no significant cross-reactivity with other mycotoxins was observed, and acceptable recoveries (86% for FB1 2000 μg kg-1 and 103% for FB1 4000 μg kg-1), with relative standard deviation less than 6.5%, were reported from spiked wheat samples, proving that the method could provide a valuable tool for simple analysis of mycotoxin-contaminated food samples.

In this work, we developed a novel approach for the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) coatings directly onto magnetic multicore nanoparticles (MMCs) using alternating magnetic fields to trigger the polymerization reaction. MIPs were synthesized with rhodamine 123 (R123) as model template molecule, methacrylic acid as functional monomer, and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate as cross-linker. The amount of iron oxide nano particles and the composition of the polymerization mixture were optimized to enable the thermal polymerization of a thin MIP shell on each MMC using electromagnetic heating without altering the properties of the recognition layer. The thickness of the polymerized MIP layer grafted onto the MMCs was fine-tuned by adjusting the dose of electromagnetic field (101.4 kHz, total power dissipation = 105 W). The resulting magnetic multicore MIP nanoparticles (MMC-MIPs) were characterized by FT-R and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering.

This paper reports the development of a novel strategy for the easy immobilization of low molecular weight haptens to microarray platforms by coating with modified lipase molecules. The chimers consist of a dextran network covalently coupled to bacterial thermoalkalophilic lipase (BTL2). The relative high surface hydrophobicity of lipase allows easy immobilization of the conjugates onto glass planar waveguides previously modified with 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane, via nonspecific hydrophobic interactions, while the dextran layer provides a three-dimensional network that can be easily modified with different functional groups for further hapten immobilization on the glass substrate. The conjugates have been applied to the development of microarray biosensors for the simultaneous detection of three water pollutants namely, atrazine (ATR), a triazine pesticide, enrofloxacin (ENRO), a fluoroquinolone antimicrobial, and the hepatotoxin microcystin LR (MCLR). In an alternative approach, the chimeric hapten-dextran-BTL2 constructs were synthesized, purified and further immobilized on the hydrophobic transducer surface through their hydrophobic faces (Janus character). Detection of the three model targets was based in a competitive immunoassay format. A combination of detection and tracer antibodies was optimized to avoid significant cross-reactivity. Evanescent wave excitation was used to excite the fluorescent immunocomplexes formed on the planar waveguide and the identity of the target analyte was encoded by its location in the detection platform. The developed microarray allows the simultaneous detection of the target pollutants with IC 50 values, of 4.4 ± 0.7, 75 ± 9, 18 ± 4 ng L −1 for ATR, ENRO and MCLR, respectively and relative standard deviations (RSDs) lower than 15%. Waveguide functionalization using the dextran-BTL2 chimers is rapid, simple and allows the development of highly sensitive microarrays that can be easily applied to the multiplexed detection of pollutants in environmental samples.

Molecularly imprinted porous polymer microspheres selective to Alternaria mycotoxins, alternariol (AOH) and alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), were synthesized and applied to the extraction of both mycotoxins in food samples. The polymer was prepared using 4-vinylpiridine (VIPY) and methacrylamide (MAM) as functional monomers, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) as cross-linker and 3,8,9-trihydroxy-6 H -dibenzo[ b,d ]pyran-6-one (S2) as AOH surrogate template. A molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction (MISPE) method has been optimized for the selective isolation of the mycotoxins from aqueous samples coupled to HPLC with fluorescence (λ ex = 258 nm; λ em = 440 nm) or MS/MS analysis. The MISPE method was validated by UPLC–MS/MS for the determination of AOH and AME in tomato juice and sesame oil based on the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Method performance was satisfactory with recoveries from 92.5% to 106.2% and limits of quantification within the 1.1–2.8 µg kg −1 range in both samples.

This paper describes the preparation of silica nanoparticles doped with a molecularly engineered luminescent Ru(II) complex for the selective determination of Cu(II) ions in aqueous media. Initially, three novel indicator dyes, namely [Ru(phen) 2 (L)] 2+ , where L is either hmpi (2-(1 H -imidazo[4,5- f ]-1,10-phenanthrolin-2-yl)-4-methoxyphenol), haip (1-(4-hydroxy-3-(1 H -imidazo[4,5- f ]-1,10-phenanthrolin-2-yl)phenyl)ethanone), or btym ( N , N' -(2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-diyl)bis(2-(thymin-1-yl)acetamide)), were synthesised, characterised and their response to metal ions was evaluated. The [Ru(phen) 2 (haip)] 2+ complex demonstrated to be selective to Cu(II), so that it was embedded in 20-nm silica nanoparticles, synthesised by the Stober method. The maximum sensitivity of the luminescent nanosensor was obtained when the indicator dye was incorporated 8 h after the beginning of the 10-h silane condensation process, because interaction with the metal ions improves when the encapsulated luminophore molecules are closer to the nanoparticle outermost surface The nanosensor showed selective response to Cu(II) in the presence of Zn(II), Hg(II), Pb(II), Ni(II), Cd(II) and Fe(II) ions in 50 mM phosphate buffer at pH 8.0, with a limit of detection of 0.30 μmol L −1 , RSD values lower than 3.0%, and a response time −1 of the analyte, with recoveries from 88 to 110%.

Mimotopes, or epitope mimics, can be applied to competitive immunoassays, for the detection of low molecular weight natural toxicants, as an alternative to toxin-conjugates. In this work, we report the development of a microarray-based immunoassay for the detection of fumonisin B1 using a novel mimotope selected by phage display technology. Fumonisin-specific antibody was used to isolate mimotopes from a 12-mer peptide library in successive selection rounds. Enrichment of antibody binding phages was observed after three panning rounds, and sequence analysis of randomly selected monoclonal phages revealed two conserved peptide sequences. Clone A2, with peptide sequence VTPNDDTFDPFR, showed the best response in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in terms of sensitivity and reproducibility and was selected for microarray development. A biotinylated synthetic derivative of this mimotope was immobilized onto epoxy-glass slides, and fumonisin B1 was detected in a competitive binding inhibition assay usin...

FLAG tag (DYKDDDDK) is a short peptide commonly used for the purification of recombinant proteins. The high price of the affinity columns and their limited reusability are a shortcoming for their widespread use in biotechnology applications. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) can circumvent some of the limitations of bioaffinity columns for such applications, including long-term stability, reusability, and cost. We report herein the synthesis of MIPs selective to the FLAG tag by hierarchical imprinting. Using the epitope imprinting approach, a 5-amino acid peptide DYKDC was selected as a template and was covalently immobilized on the surface of microporous silica beads, previously functionalized with different aminosilanes, namely, 3-(2-aminoethylamino)propyldimethoxymethylsilane, AEAPMS, and N-(2-aminoethyl)-2,2,4-trimethyl-1-aza-2-silacyclopentane, AETAZS. We investigated the effect of the type of silane on the production of homogeneous silane-grafted layers with the highest extent of silanol condensation as possible using 29Si CP/MAS NMR. We observed that the right orientation of the imprinted cavities can substantially improve analyte recoveries from the MIP. After template and silica removal, the DYKDC-MIPs were used as sorbents for solid-phase extraction (molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction) of the FLAG peptide, showing that the polymer prepared with AETAZS-bound silica beads contained binding sites more selective to the tag (RMIP-AZA = 87.4% vs RNIP-AZA = 4.1%, n = 3, RSD ≤ 4.2%) than those prepared using AEAPMS (RMIP-DM = 73.4% vs RNIP-DM = 23.2%, n = 3, RSD ≤ 4.0%) as a functionalization agent. An extensive computational molecular modeling study was also conducted, shedding some light on the interaction mechanism between the FLAG peptide and the imprinted template in the binding cavities., This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (grant RTI2018-096410-B-C21). Wethank Prof. M. J. Torralvo for assistance with the N2adsorption experiments and the National Centre for Electron Microscopy and the Centre for Elemental Microanalysis(UCM, Madrid) for the technical support. N.G. thanks theSpanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness(MAT2016-81001-P project) and Dr. LevíLópez (Character-ization Service of ICTP-CSIC) for performing solid-stateNMR spectroscopy. Y.R. thanks Dr. Mihaly Mezei (Depart-ment of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicineat Mount Sinai) for critically reading the computational part ofthis manuscript and suggesting improvements. Computationswere supported in part through the computational resourcesand staffexpertise provided by the Scientific ComputingFacility at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Mycotoxins can be found as natural contaminants in many foods and feeds, and owing to their toxic effects, it is essential to detect them before they enter the food chain. An interesting approach for the analysis of mycotoxins by competitive immunoassays is the use of epitope-mimicking peptides, or mimotopes, which can replace the toxin conjugates traditionally used in such assays. Mimotopes can be selected from phage-displayed peptide libraries even without any prior knowledge of the antibody-antigen interaction, and after identifying the target specific clones, individual clones can be efficiently amplified in bacteria and used directly in the immunoassay. Following such approach, we have previously selected and identified a dodecapeptide which functions as a mimotope for the mycotoxin fumonisin B

Epitope tagging is widely used to fuse a known epitope to proteins for which no affinity receptor is available by using recombinant DNA technology. One example is FLAG epitope (DYKDDDDK), which provides better purity and recoveries than the favorite poly histidine tag. However, purification requires using anti-FLAG antibody resins, the high cost and nonreusability of which restrict widespread use. One cost-effective solution is provided by the use of bioinspired anti-FLAG molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). This work describes the development of MIPs, based on the epitope approach, synthesized from the tetrapeptide DYKD as template that affords purification of FLAG-derived recombinant proteins. Polymer was optimized by using a combinatorial approach to select the functional monomer(s) and cross-linker(s), resulting in the best specific affinity toward FLAG and the peptide DYKD. The imprinted resin obtained was used to purify mCherry proteins tagged with either FLAG or DYKD epitopes from crude cell lysates. Both mCherry variants were highly efficiently purified ( R ≥ 95%, RSD ≤ 15%, n = 3) and impurities were removed. Unlike existing antibody-based resins, the proposed tag-imprinting strategy provides a general method for meeting the growing demand for efficient, inexpensive, and versatile materials for tagged proteins purification.

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is an immunosuppressant drug commonly used to prevent organ rejection in transplanted patients. MPA monitoring is of great interest due to its small therapeutic window. In this work, a phage-displayed peptide library was used to select cyclic peptides that bind to the MPA-specific recombinant antibody fragment (Fab) and mimic the behavior of MPA. After biopanning, several phage-displayed peptides were isolated and tested to confirm their epitope-mimicking nature in phage-based competitive immunoassays. After identifying the best MPA mimetic (ACEGLYAHWC with a disulfide constrained loop), several immunoassay approaches were tested, and a recombinant fusion protein containing the peptide sequence with a bioluminescent enzyme, NanoLuc, was developed. The recombinant fusion enabled its direct use as the tracer in competitive immunoassays without the need for secondary antibodies or further labeling. A bioluminescent sensor, using streptavidin-coupled magnetic beads for the immobilization of the biotinylated Fab antibody, enabled the detection of MPA with a detection limit of 0.26 ng mL-1 and an IC50 of 2.9 ± 0.5 ng mL-1. The biosensor showed good selectivity toward MPA and was applied to the analysis of the immunosuppressive drug in clinical samples, of both healthy and MPA-treated patients, followed by validation by liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection.

Tenuazonic acid (TeA) is a common mycotoxin produced by Alternaria species found in various foodstuffs. Herein, we describe the preparation of porous molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) microspheres doped with Eu(III), for selective fast analysis of TeA in rice extracts. The TeA template, bearing a β-diketone moiety, is a good Eu(III)-chelating antenna ligand that can be selectively captured in the MIP cavities and detected by observing the “turned-on” sensitized luminescence of the Eu(III) ions at 615 nm (λex 337 nm). A MIP library was prepared at small scale using diethyl allylmalonate (DEAM) or allyl acetoacetate as functional monomers, mixed in different mole ratios with the template and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) as cross-linker. The screening allowed selection of poly(DEAM-co-EDMA) with Eu(III) as luminogenic metal center for the sensor development. Under the optimized conditions, a linear response to TeA in the 1.7–20 μg mL−1 range, with a detection limit of 0.5 μg mL−1, was obtained. The Eu(III)-doped MIP for TeA showed very little or no cross-recognition of other mycotoxins present in foodstuff such as alternariol, β-zearalenol and cyclopiazonic acid, even containing the same recognition moiety. The MIP-based optosensor was successfully applied to the analysis of rice extracts spiked with TeA, and the results were confirmed by HPLC-DAD.

The application of optical biosensors, specifically those that use optical fibers and planar waveguides, has escalated throughout the years in many fields, including environmental analysis, food safety and clinical diagnosis. Fluorescence is, without doubt, the most popular transducer signal used in these devices because of its higher selectivity and sensitivity, but most of all due to its wide versatility. This paper focuses on the working principles and configurations of fluorescence-based fiber optic and planar waveguide biosensors and will review biological recognition elements, sensing schemes, as well as some major and recent applications, published in the last ten years. The main goal is to provide the reader a general overview of a field that requires the joint collaboration of researchers of many different areas, including chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, and material science., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • Principles, configurations and fluorescence techniques using fiber optic and planar waveguide biosensors are discussed. • The biorecognition elements and sensing schemes used in fiber optic and planar waveguide platforms are reviewed. • Some major and recent applications of fiber optic and planar waveguide biosensors are introduced.

Plant-pathogenic Fusarium species, Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium proliferatum, are the major producers of fumonisins which are one of the most common mycotoxins found in maize. Herein, we report the development of specific and sensitive genosensors for detecting these two closely related Fusarium species in food samples. The sensors are based on species-specific capture and detection probes, which bind to the intergenic spacer region of rDNA (IGS). Oligonucleotide functionalized magnetic microbeads are used to capture the target DNA which is then detected using biotinylated detection probes and a streptavidin-coupled label. The developed genosensors had detection limits of 1.8 pM and 3.0 pM for F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides, respectively, using synthetic DNA targets. Furthermore, the biosensors were used to analyze natural fungal contamination of commercial maize samples. After amplification of the genomic DNA the sensors detected the presence of the fungi, in accordance with previous results obtained with PCR. No cross-reactivity between F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum, or other fungi species tested, was observed. The developed biosensors can provide a valuable tool to evaluate the potential for mycotoxin contamination in conditions where detection of mycotoxins directly is challenging.

In this work, we report the synthesis of novel magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (m-MIPs) and their application to the selective extraction of the mycotoxin citrinin (CIT) from food samples. The polymers were prepared by surface imprinting of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, using 2-naphtholic acid (2-NA) as template molecule, N-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl-N'-4-vinylphenyl urea and methacrylamide as functional monomers and ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate as cross-linker. The resulting material was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies (FT-IR). The polymers were used to develop a solid-phase extraction method (m-MISPE) for the selective recovery of CIT from rice extracts prior to its determination by HPLC with UV diode array detection. The method involves ultrasound-assisted extraction of the mycotoxin from rice samples with (7:3, v/v) methanol/water, followed by sample cleanup and preconcentration with m-MIP. The extraction (washing and elution) conditions were optimized and their optimal values found to provide CIT recoveries of 94-98 % with relative standard deviations (RSD) less than 3.4 % (n = 3) for preconcentrated sample extracts (5 mL) fortified with the analyte at concentrations over the range 25-100 μg kg(-1). Based on the results, the application of the m-MIPs facilitates the accurate and efficient determination of CIT in rice extracts.

Label-free optical biosensors are an intriguing option for the analyses of many analytes, as they offer several advantages such as high sensitivity, direct and real-time measurement in addition to multiplexing capabilities. However, development of label-free optical biosensors for small molecules can be challenging as most of them are not naturally chromogenic or fluorescent, and in some cases, the sensor response is related to the size of the analyte. To overcome some of the limitations associated with the analysis of biologically, pharmacologically, or environmentally relevant compounds of low molecular weight, recent advances in the field have improved the detection of these analytes using outstanding methodology, instrumentation, recognition elements, or immobilization strategies. In this review, we aim to introduce some of the latest developments in the field of label-free optical biosensors with the focus on applications with novel innovations to overcome the challenges related to small molecule detection. Optical label-free methods with different transduction schemes, including evanescent wave and optical fiber sensors, surface plasmon resonance, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, and interferometry, using various biorecognition elements, such as antibodies, aptamers, enzymes, and bioinspired molecularly imprinted polymers, are reviewed.

Molecular imprinting is able to provide essential analyte recognition without the limitations of biomolecules. These human-made materials have emerged as artificial sensing units for the development of optical sensors, potentially replacing antibodies, enzymes or other biological receptors. They are characterized by low production costs, stability, format adaptability and the possibility to imprint, and thus the ability to recognize, a wide variety of target molecules. MIP-based chemosensors can be interrogated using different optical techniques including UV-vis, infrared, fluorescence, chemiluminescence, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) or surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. This chapter summarizes the main developments and applications of MIPs in the area of optical sensors, with special emphasis on their analytical applications over the past five years.

In this Article, we describe a fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) using a new label-near-infrared fluorescent dye. The developed FPIA method was optimized for the rapid analysis of free mycophenolic acid (MPA) in plasma of transplanted patients. The approach is based on the fluorescence competitive assay between the target immunosuppressant and a novel emissive near-infrared fluorescent dye-tagged MPA and MPA-AO for the binding sites of the anti-MPA antibody. The fluorescent analogue of MPA exhibits emission at 654 nm upon excitation at 629 nm (λ

This work describes the development and application of class-selective molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the analysis of beta-lactamase-resistant penicillins, namely cloxacillin (CLOXA), oxacillin (OXA), and dicloxacillin (DICLOXA), in milk samples. Our method is based on molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode-array detection (DAD). 2-Biphenylylpenicillin (2BPEN), a surrogate with a close resemblance to beta-lactamase-resistant penicillins in terms of size, shape, hydrophobicity, and functionality, was synthesized and used as the template for the polymer synthesis. A MIP library was prepared and screened to select the optimum functional monomer, N-(2-aminoethyl)methacrylamide, and cross-linker, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, that provided the best recognition for the target antibiotics. For the MISPE application, the MIPs were prepared in the form of microspheres, using porous silica beads (40-75 μm) as sacrificial scaffolds. The developed MISPE method enables efficient extraction from aqueous samples and analysis of the antimicrobials, when followed by a selective washing with 2 mL acetonitrile-water (20:80 v/v) and elution with 1 mL 0.05 mol L(-1) tetrabutylammonium in methanol. The analytical method was validated according to EU guideline 2002/657/EC. The limits of quantification (S/N = 10) were in the 5.3-6.3 μg kg(-1) range, well below the maximum residue limits (MRLs) currently established. Inter-day mean recoveries were in the range 99-102 % with RSDs below 9 %, improving on the performance of previously reported MISPE methods for the analysis of CLOXA, OXA, or DICLOXA in milk samples.

The effect of the cross-linker on the shape and size of molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) beads prepared by precipitation polymerization has been evaluated using a chemometric approach. Molecularly imprinted microspheres for the selective recognition of fluoroquinolone antimicrobials were prepared in a one-step precipitation polymerization procedure using enrofloxacin (ENR) as the template molecule, methacrylic acid as functional monomer, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate as hydrophilic comonomer, and acetonitrile as the porogen. The type and amount of cross-linker, namely ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, divinylbenzene or trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, to obtain monodispersed MIP spherical beads in the micrometer range was optimized using a simplex lattice design. Particle size and morphology were assessed by scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and nitrogen adsorption measurements. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy in conjunction with a nitroxide as spin probe revealed information about the microviscosity and polarity of the binding sites in imprinted and nonimprinted polymer beads.

Food allergy is one of the major health threats for sensitized individuals all over the world and, over the years, the food industry has made significant efforts and investments to offer safe foods for allergic consumers. The analysis of the concentration of food allergen residues in processing equipment, in raw materials or in the final product, provides analytical information that can be used for risk assessment as well as to ensure that food-allergic consumers get accurate and useful information to make their food choices and purchasing decisions. The development of biosensors based on nanomaterials for applications in food analysis is a challenging area of growing interest in the last years. Research in this field requires the combined efforts of experts in very different areas including food chemistry, biotechnology or materials science. However, the outcome of such collaboration can be of significant impact on the food industry as well as for consumer’s safety. These nanobiosensing devices allow the rapid, selective, sensitive, cost-effective and, in some cases, in-field, online and real-time detection of a wide range of compounds, even in complex matrices. Moreover, they can also enable the design of novel allergen detection strategies. Herein we review the main advances in the use of nanoparticles for the development of biosensors and bioassays for allergen detection, in food samples, over the past few years. Research in this area is still in its infancy in comparison, for instance, to the application of nanobiosensors for clinical analysis. However, it will be of interest for the development of new technologies that reduce the gap between laboratory research and industrial applications.

A sensitive and reliable method using pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) followed by molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction (MISPE) and high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC–FLD) has been developed for the analysis of alternariol (AOH) and alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) in tomato samples. Influence of several extraction parameters that affect PLE efficiency were evaluated for the simultaneous extraction of both mycotoxins in the selected samples. AOH and AME were optimally extracted using MeOH/water (25:75, v/v) at 70°C as solvent, a pressure of 1000 psi and a single extraction cycle. The resulting PLE extracts were pre-concentrated by molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction (MISPE) cartridges followed of analysis by HPLC with fluorescence detection (λexc = 258, λem = 440 nm). The proposed method was applied to the analysis of AOH and AME in fortified tomato samples (20–72 µg· kg–1) with recoveries of 84–97% (RSD n = 6) for AOH and 67–91% (RSD n = 6) for AME. The detection limit for AOH and AME were 7 and 15 µg· kg–1, respectively. The ensuing PLE–MISPE–HPLC–FLD method was validated for the analysis of both mycotoxins in tomato samples in accordance with European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC.

In this article we describe a new class of high-density optical microarrays based on molecularly imprinted microsphere sensors that directly incorporate specific recognition capabilities to detect enrofloxacin (ENRO), an antibiotic widely used for both human and veterinary applications. This approach involves the preparation of highly cross-linked polymer microspheres by thermal precipitation–polymerization in the presence and absence of the target analyte ENRO to generate either molecularly imprinted (MIP) or non-imprinted polymer (NIP) microspheres, respectively. Each polymer type of tailor-made microsphere is fluorescently encoded with either coumarin-30 or tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II) dichloride [Ru(dip)3]Cl2 to enable the microspheres to be distinguished. The new MIP-based sensing platform utilizes an optical fiber bundle containing approximately 50000 individual 3.1 μm diameter fibers that are chemically etched to create microwells in which MIP and NIP microspheres can be deposited and imaged using an epi-fluorescence microscope. The method enables multiplexed detection by independently addressing both types of beads through their separate light channels. The unique response to the presence of ENRO is manifested on the basis of a competitive immunoassay. A red-fluorescent dye-tagged ENRO, labeled with BODIPY® TR Cadaverine, competes with ENRO for specific binding sites. The developed immuno-like assay displayed a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.04 μM (10% binding inhibition) and a dynamic range of 0.29–21.54 μM (20–80% binding inhibition). The selectivity of the assay was evaluated by measuring the cross-reactivity of other fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, danofloxacin, and flumequine) and non-related antibiotics (penicillin G and doxycycline). This work demonstrates, for the first time, the applicability of MIPs, as an alternative to biomolecule receptors, for the development of multiplexed detection fiber-optic microarrays paving the way for a new generation of biomimetic sensors.

Mycotoxins are low molecular weight molecules produced as secondary metabolites by filamentous fungi that can be found as natural contaminants in many foods and feeds. These toxins have been shown to have adverse effects on both human and animal health, and are the cause of significant economic losses worldwide. Sensors for mycotoxin analysis have traditionally applied elements of biological origin for the selective recognition purposes. However, since the 1970s there has been an exponential growth in the use of genetically engineered or synthetic biomimetic recognition elements that allow some of the limitations associated with the use of natural receptors for the analyses of these toxins to be circumvented. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the application of bioinspired recognition elements, including recombinant antibodies, peptides, aptamers, and molecularly imprinted polymers, to the development of sensors for mycotoxins based on different transduction elements. Graphical abstract Novel analytical methods based on bioinspired recognition elements, such as recombinant antibodies, peptides, aptamers, and molecularly imprinted polymers, can improve the detection of mycotoxins and provide better tools than their natural counterparts to ensure food safety.

Mimotopes, or epitope mimics, can be applied to competitive immunoassays, for the detection of low molecular weight natural toxicants, as an alternative to toxin-conjugates. In this work, we report the development of a microarray-based immunoassay for the detection of fumonisin B

This paper describes the synthesis of novel molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), prepared by a noncovalent imprinting approach, for cleanup and preconcentration of curcumin (CUR) and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) from medicinal herbal extracts and further analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). Two molecular mimics, a mixture of reduced BDMCs and 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone (HPB), have been synthesized and applied as templates for MIP synthesis. The polymers were prepared using N-(2-aminoethyl) methacrylamide (EAMA) as functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) as the cross-linker (in a 1:5 molar ratio), and a mixture of acetonitrile/dimethylsulfoxide (90 %, v/v) as porogen. MIPs prepared using a mixture of reduced BDMCs as template showed higher selectivity for CUR and BDMC than those obtained with HPB, with imprinting factors of 3.5 and 2.7 for CUR and BDMC, respectively, using H2O/acetonitrile (65:35, v/v) as mobile phase. The adsorption isotherms for CUR in the MIP and the nonimprinted polymer (NIP) were fitted to the Freundlich isotherm model, and the calculated average binding affinities for CUR were (17 ± 2) and (8 ± 1) mM−1 for the MIP and the NIP, respectively. The polymers were packed into solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges, and the optimized molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE-HPLC) with fluorescence detection (FLD) method allowed the extraction of both curcuminoids from aqueous samples (50 mM NH4Ac, pH 8.8) followed by a selective washing with acetonitrile/NH4Ac, 50 mM at pH 8.8 (30:70 %, v/v), and elution with 3 × 1 mL of MeOH. Good recoveries and precision ranging between 87 and 92 %, with relative standard deviation (RSD) of

This paper describes the synthesis of novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) micro-beads for the selective extraction (MISPE) of six fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotics (enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, lomefloxacin, danofloxacin, sarafloxacin and norfloxacin) from chicken muscle samples and further analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence (FLD) or mass spectrometry (MS) detection. A combinatorial screening approach has been applied to select the optimal functional monomer and cross-linker formulation for polymer synthesis. The MIP prepared using enoxacin (ENOX) as the template - a mixture of methacrylic acid (MAA) and trifluoromethacrylic acid (TFMAA) as functional monomers and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) as the cross-linker - showed superior FQ recognition properties than the rest of the materials generated. MIP spherical particles were prepared using silica beads as sacrificial scaffolds. The polymers were packed in solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges. The optimized MISPE-HPLC method allows the extraction of the antimicrobials from aqueous samples followed by a selective washing with acetonitrile/water (0.005% TFA, pH=3.0), 20:80 (v/v) and elution with 5% trifluoroacetic acid in methanol. Optimum MISPE conditions led to recoveries of the target FQs in chicken muscle samples ranging between 68 and 102% and precisions in the 3-4% range (RSD, n=18). The method has been validated according to European Union Decision 2002/657/EC, in terms of linearity, accuracy, precision, selectivity, decision limit (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ) by HPLC-FLD and HPLC-MS/MS. The limits of detection were improved using HPLC-MS/MS analysis and ranged between 0.2 and 2.7μgkg(-1) (S/N=3) for all the FQs tested.

[EN] Al nanohole array plasmonic biosensors have been fabricated on polycarbonate (PC) substrates from conventional compact discs (CD). Standard micro and nanofabrication processes have been used and optimized to be PC compatible. The viability of this CD-based plasmonic platform for label-free optical biosensing has been demonstrated through a competitive bioassay for biotin analysis using biotin-functionalized dextran-lipase conjugates immobilized on the transducer surface., This work was funded by Projects: TEC2010-10804-E (MICINN, Spain), TEC2012-31145 and CTQ2012-37573-C02-02 (MINECO, Spain), FEDERCTQ2010-15943 (CICYT, Spain) and GVA PROMETEO 2010/008. The Spanish MEC provided MAO with a PhD studies grant.