Silver nanoclusters based FRET aptasensor for sensitive and selective fluorescent detection of T-2 toxin

T-2 is a trichthecenes mycotoxin responsible for severe food poisoning and toxic influences in humans and animals. Therefore, a rapid and sensitive detection of T-2 is an urgent need to protect the public health mainly caused by the consumption of contaminated agricultural products. Herein, we have prepared one pot synthesis of aptamer functionalized silver nanoclusters (apt-AgNCs) for fluorescent detection of T-2 that relies on novel fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Apt-AgNCs, act as energy donor, were applied as fluorescent sensing probe whose fluorescence was quenched by MoS₂ employed as fluorescent acceptor. Introduction of target in proposed bioassay leads to desorption of Apt-AgNCs from MoS₂, and recovery of fluorescence in a toxin concentration dependent-manner. A dynamic quantification range was 0.005–500 ng mL⁻¹ while the LOD was 0.93 pg mL⁻¹. Spiking analysis reveals the efficiency and robustness of the developed assembly, with recovery percentages ranged from 89.46% to 102.08% and 90.41% to 107.75% in maize and wheat samples, respectively. The results were cross-verified using standard commercial T-2 EISA kit. In conclusion, developed bioassay may find good utility in testing for risk assessment of T-2 toxin.