A novel 3D bio-printing “liver lobule” microtissue biosensor for the detection of AFB1

[Display omitted] •A novel electrochemical liver lobule sensor was developed for AFB1 detection.•A novel liver lobule microtissue sensing element was printed based on HAMA hydrogen and MWCNT.•The upgrading of electrochemical biosensor from cell level to tissue level is of great significance. In this paper, a novel “liver lobule” microtissue biosensor based on 3D bio-printing is developed to rapidly determine aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Methylacylated Hyaluronic acid (HAMA) hydrogel, HepG2 cells, and carbon nanotubes are used to construct “liver lobule” models. In addition, 3D bio-printing is used to perform high-throughput and standardized preparation in order to simulate the organ morphology and induce functional formation. Afterwards, based on the electrochemical rapid detection technology, a 3D bio-printed “liver lobule” microtissue is immobilized on the screen-printed electrode, and the mycotoxin is detected by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The DPV response increases with the concentration of AFB1 in the range of 0.1–3.5 μg/mL. The linear detection range is 0.1–1.5 μg/mL and the calculated lowest detection limit is 0.039 μg/mL. Thus, this study develops a new mycotoxin detection method based on the 3D printing technology, which has high stability and reproducibility. It has wide application prospects in the field of detection and evaluation of food hazards.