Development of a Voltammetric Methodology Based on a Methacrylic Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Modified Carbon-Paste Electrode for the Determination of Aflatoxin B1

Abstract

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most dangerous mycotoxins found in food, necessitating the development of precise and reliable methodologies for its detection. In this study, a novel electrochemical sensor based on a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) integrated with a carbon-paste electrode was developed for the voltammetric determination of AFB1. The innovative aspect of this work lies in the use of methacrylic acid (MAA) as the functional monomer, which enhances the sensor’s selectivity and binding affinity. The developed electrochemical sensor exhibited a linear response range from 20.8 to 80 ng/L, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.31 ng/L and a sensitivity of 19.83 µA (ng/L)−1 cm−2. The sensor demonstrated outstanding analytical performance, with reproducibility and repeatability yielding relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 3.24% and 1.41%, respectively. To validate the sensor’s practical applicability, its performance was tested in real samples of corn and wheat using the standard addition method. Samples were prepared following official Mexican standard methods. Detected AFB1 concentrations were 0.0147 μg/L and 0.0138 μg/L for corn and wheat, respectively. A statistical comparison using the Student’s t-test confirmed no significant matrix effects, underscoring the high selectivity and accuracy of the MIP-modified sensor. This work introduces a highly selective, sensitive, and reproducible methodology for AFB1 detection, which could significantly advance food safety monitoring.