Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)-Driven Sensors Achieve Ultra-High Sensitivity of 0.32 pg/mL for Rapid Mycotoxin Detection in Food

July 5, 2026

ACS Publications USA

Overview

This review details recent advancements in Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)-driven sensors (MD sensors) for rapid early warning of mycotoxins in food. MD sensors offer advantages such as low cost, ultra-high detection sensitivity (reported down to 0.32 pg/mL for OTA), and in situ detection capabilities. Various sensing methods, including electrochemical, fluorescence, colorimetric, and SERS, are discussed, highlighting their portability and broad application prospects for on-site real-time food safety monitoring.

In Depth

Key Findings

Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)-driven sensors (MD sensors) for rapid early warning of mycotoxins in food have made remarkable progress. These sensors achieve ultra-high sensitivity, exemplified by a reported limit of detection (LOD) as low as 0.32 pg/mL for Ochratoxin A (OTA), revolutionizing the field of food safety.

Technical/Clinical Details

MD sensors leverage their unique porous structures and tunable chemical properties to facilitate specific interactions with mycotoxin molecules. This review discusses various sensing methods, including electrochemical, fluorescence, colorimetric, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), integrated with MOF materials. For instance, electrochemical MD sensors measure changes in electrical signals upon mycotoxin binding, providing rapid and quantitative results. Fluorescent MD sensors utilize the principle that fluorophores embedded in MOFs change their fluorescence intensity upon interaction with mycotoxins. Colorimetric MD sensors provide visually discernible color changes for detection results, while SERS-based MD sensors enhance the intrinsic Raman spectra of mycotoxin molecules, enabling ultra-high sensitive detection.

Key advantages of these MD sensors include low-cost fabrication, high detection sensitivity, and in situ detection capabilities. This allows for real-time monitoring of food safety directly at production sites, food processing facilities, and even at the consumer level, without the need for complex laboratory equipment. This significantly enhances quality control and risk mitigation throughout the entire food supply chain.

Background & Context

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by molds that contaminate agricultural products and foods, posing serious health threats to humans and animals. Their widespread presence is a global challenge, leading to stricter food safety regulations in many countries. Traditional mycotoxin detection methods have often been time-consuming, expensive, and required specialized training. The advancements in MD sensors offer a groundbreaking solution to overcome these challenges, providing faster and more cost-effective approaches that could fundamentally change quality assurance systems in the food industry.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

The future outlook for MD sensor technology is highly promising, with further research and development expected to lead to improved multiplexing capabilities, integration into portable devices, and an expanded detection range for different types of mycotoxins. In conjunction with AI and IoT, these sensors will function as integral components of smart food safety monitoring networks, becoming indispensable tools for enhancing the safety of the global food supply chain. This could establish new standards for reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses and protecting public health.

Source: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jafc.6c03100

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