Recent applications of carbonaceous nanosorbents for the analysis of mycotoxins in food by liquid chromatography: a short review

Abstract

Carbonaceous nanomaterials (multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), graphene, and graphene oxide (GO)) have attracted attention over the last decade as adsorbents suitable for the analysis of organic and inorganic pollutants. In the present paper we review methods of mycotoxin analysis that involve sample extraction with carbonaceous nanosorbents, reported from 2011 onwards. Recent studies have highlighted the advantages of magnetically modified MWCNTs and GO in mycotoxin analysis, which may enable sample isolation through magnetic separation, reduce the interaction of nanoparticles, and enhance the recovery of analytes. The papers covered in this review point to promising applications of functionalised carbonaceous nanosorbents in mycotoxin analysis. While GO based sorbents can be effective for the adsorption of relatively polar aflatoxins, MWCNTs with high specific surface area and reduced agglomeration achieved through modification with silica and magnetic particles are preferred for the extraction of less polar mycotoxins.