A smartphone-enabled visual platform for detecting aflatoxins in peanut oil using colorimetric analysis coupled with magnetic imprinted solid-phase extraction

The study aimed to develop a rapid and sensitive colorimetric platform based on the Emerson reaction to visualize and determine total aflatoxins (AFs) in peanut oil. This method offers the advantage of fast screening for AFs (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2), eliminating the need for specific antibodies. The proposed approach combined colorimetric detection with magnetic dummy imprinted solid-phase extraction and purification, enhancing sensitivity and selectivity. The oxidizer aided the colorless AFs in reacting with 4-aminoantipyrine, producing green condensates. Thus, a dual-mode approach was developed for AFs detection, employing both UV–vis colorimetric and smartphone-based colorimetry. Both methods showed a good linear relationship with the concentration of AFs. Notably, the smartphone-based method demonstrated a detection range of 0.5–57 μg/kg, with a detection limit as low as 0.21 μg/kg. The suggested colorimetric methods present a promising potential for onsite detection and fast screening of AFs in actual samples.