CeO2-NRs/MXene-Immobilized WaveFlex Biosensor for Acrylamide Detection in Real Food Samples

Acrylamide (AA), a detrimental aliphatic amide, is generated during food thermal processing as a result of the Maillard reaction occurring between asparagine and reducing sugars. WaveFlex fiber is a fiber-optic flexible sensor designed to enhance the evanescent wave (EW) for effectively exciting the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) phenomenon, and in this study, the authors use this type of sensor to detect varying levels of AA. By immobilizing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the probe’s surface, the evanescent field has the capability to trigger the activation of AuNPs and induce the occurrence of LSPR phenomenon. In order to excite LSPR better and generate a stronger evanescent field, the WaveFlex biosensor is fabricated using a single-mode fiber (SMF). Cerium oxide nanorods (CeO2-NRs) and MXene are used to modulate the LSPR phenomenon by altering the dielectric environment of AuNPs. As a result, the sensing performance of the sensor is improved and the surface area of the fiber probe is increased, providing an additional attachment point for the AA antibody. The AA sensor’s specific selectivity is enhanced by functionalizing the surface of the sensing probe with AA antibody. The sensor has a linear range of 3–
$13~\mu $
g/mL with a detection limit of
$1.13~\mu $
g/mL. Finally, the recoveries of AA in biscuits and chips are 82.8%
$\sim ~99.7$
% and 83.7%
$\sim ~100.4$
%, respectively. Furthermore, the probe’s potential for detecting AA levels is demonstrated through rigorous testing of its reusability, reproducibility, stability, pH, and selectivity. The obtained results indicate a promising application scope for this WaveFlex biosensor.