# Nanozyme-Based Colorimetric Assay on a Magnetic Microfluidic Platform for Integrated Detection of TTX

## TL;DR

A new microfluidic platform using nanozymes enables fast and sensitive detection of tetrodotoxin, a marine neurotoxin, for on-site food safety testing.

## Contribution

A nanozyme-catalyzed magnetic microfluidic immunosensor is developed for rapid and sensitive TTX detection.

## Key findings

- The Nano-CMI detects TTX with a detection limit of 0.2 ng/mL in 10 minutes.
- The platform completes the entire detection workflow within 1 hour with minimal hands-on time.
- Magnetic actuation simplifies sample handling and improves sensitivity via catalytic amplification.

## Abstract

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent marine neurotoxin, necessitating sensitive and user-friendly on-site assays. To address long workflows of traditional immunoassays and limited signal amplification in colorimetric microfluidics, we developed a nanozyme-catalyzed colorimetric magnetic microfluidic immunosensor (Nano-CMI). This platform combines an aptamer–antibody sandwich capture format with catalytic amplification via AuNR@Pt@m-SiO2 (APMS) nanozymes on a magnetically actuated microfluidic chip. Magnetic actuation simplifies sample handling and washing, while APMS catalysis enhances sensitivity and visual readout. The Nano-CMI has been used for the detection of TTX samples ranging from 0.2 to 20 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.2 ng/mL in 10 min, following the linear equation: y = −31.14ln x + 110.15, and the entire “capture-reaction-detection” workflow can be completed within 1 h. With rapid response, minimal hands-on time, and robust performance, this platform offers a practical, high-sensitivity solution for on-site TTX screening in food safety and customs inspection.