Ultrasensitive detection of trace Hg2+ by SERS aptasensor based on dual recycling amplification in water environment

Cheng Tian; Lei Zhao; Jin Zhu; Shusheng Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126251

Ultrasensitive detection of trace Hg²⁺ by SERS aptasensor based on dual recycling amplification in water environment

J Hazard Mater. 2021 Aug 15:416:126251. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126251. Epub 2021 May 27.

Authors

Cheng Tian¹, Lei Zhao², Jin Zhu³, Shusheng Zhang⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Nanjing National Laboratory of Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China.
² Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Detection Technology for Tumor Markers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Tumor Marker Detection Technology, Equipment and Diagnosis-Therapy Integration in Universities of Shandong, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Linyi University, Linyi 276005, P. R. China.
³ Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Nanjing National Laboratory of Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China. Electronic address: jinz@nju.edu.cn.
⁴ Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Detection Technology for Tumor Markers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Tumor Marker Detection Technology, Equipment and Diagnosis-Therapy Integration in Universities of Shandong, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Linyi University, Linyi 276005, P. R. China. Electronic address: shushzhang@126.com.

PMID: 34492994
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126251

Abstract

Due to the nonbiodegradability and accumulation of mercury ion, even in extremely small amount, it will cause varying degrees of harm to environment and human health. Although researchers have developed many strategies to detect and monitor trace Hg²⁺, only a few provide sensitivities of less than 1.0 pM. Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) is a common method to detect mercury ion due to its high sensitivity, rapid detection and easy operation. In this work, we report a new SERS aptasensor based on dual recycling amplification for the detection of trace mercury ion, which combines SERS with nucleic acid signal amplification through functional aptamer and elaborately designed hairpin DNA. Under the optimal experimental conditions, this SERS aptasensor exhibits excellent selectivity and high sensitivity. A linear range (0.2-125 fM) and a low detection limit (0.11 fM) are obtained. By using specific aptamers, the strategy will provide a new idea for the trace detection of toxic contaminants in water environment.

Keywords: Mercury (II) ion pollution; Real water environment; Recycling amplification; SERS aptasensor.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aptamers, Nucleotide*
Biosensing Techniques*
DNA
Gold
Humans
Limit of Detection
Mercury*
Spectrum Analysis, Raman
Water

Substances

Aptamers, Nucleotide
Water
Gold
DNA
Mercury