Detection of mycotoxins in food is essential due to their potential harm to human and animal health. However, developing affordable and rapid methods for their detection, particularly with the necessary selectivity to differentiate between various mycotoxins, remains a challenge. Herein, we present low-cost paper-based sensing platforms modified with curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound, for the electrochemical and optical detection of ochratoxin A (OTA). By exploiting the fluorescence quenching effect of OTA on curcumin through Förster energy transfer, we successfully conducted optical detection with LODs of 0.09 ng mL⁻¹ and a linear range of 0.5 to 15 ng mL⁻¹. Additionally, by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and a portable instrument, we detected OTA with a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 0.045 ng mL⁻¹. These sensitivity levels meet the requirements established by food regulatory agencies for monitoring food quality in relation to OTA contamination. Our curcumin-modified paper-based sensors offer a compelling combination of simplicity in manufacturing and cost-effectiveness, underscoring their potential for routine food quality monitoring, especially concerning ochratoxin A.

食品中霉菌毒素的检测至关重要，因为它们对人类和动物健康具有潜在危害。然而，开发经济实惠且快速的检测方法，特别是具有区分各种霉菌毒素的必要选择性，仍然是一个挑战。在此，我们提出了用姜黄素（一种天然多酚化合物）修饰的低成本纸基传感平台，用于赭曲霉毒素 A (OTA) 的电化学和光学检测。通过福斯特能量转移利用OTA对姜黄素的荧光猝灭效应，我们成功地进行了光学检测，LOD为0.09 ng mL ^-1，线性范围为0.5至15 ng mL ^-1。此外，通过使用电化学阻抗谱和便携式仪器，我们检测到的OTA的检测限（LOD）低至0.045 ng mL ^-1。这些敏感度水平满足食品监管机构制定的监测 OTA 污染相关食品质量的要求。我们的姜黄素改性纸基传感器将制造简单性和成本效益完美地结合在一起，凸显了它们在常规食品质量监测（尤其是赭曲霉毒素 A）方面的潜力。