Lateral flow aptamer assay for detection of aflatoxin B1 in tea using upconversion nanoparticles

Aflatoxin, extensively existing in peanuts, corn, rice, soybeans, wheat and tea, is a type of mycotoxins with the highest toxicity and carcinogenicity and thus poses a serious threat to human health. In this article, upconversion nanoparticles modified with aptamers specific to aflatoxin B1 were used as fluorescence markers. By this way, we constructed a paper-based lateral flow assays detection technology for rapid detection of aflatoxin B1 with good linearity in the concentration range of 0.1-100 ng/mL and detection limit of 0.03 ng/mL. This method can realize quantitative detection of aflatoxin B1 in real tea sample with high sensitivity and specificity. Hence it is suitable for rapid on-site detection of aflatoxin B1 by utilizing this method, which shows good economic value and application prospects.