A robust colorimetric aptasensor for the label-free detection of marine toxins based on tyrosine-capped gold nanoparticles

Analyst. 2022 Nov 21;147(23):5314-5323. doi: 10.1039/d2an01394k.

Abstract

PbTx-2 and okadaic acid (OA) are two typical marine toxins that are highly toxic and harmful to human health. The approach based on citrate-capped gold nanoparticles (Cit-AuNPs) and specific aptamers to construct label-free colorimetric sensors is a widely used method for marine toxin detection. However, the potential interactions between Cit-AuNPs and target molecules have always been ignored, which may result in wrong analytical results due to shortcomings in the Cit-AuNPs. To overcome these shortfalls, in this work, AuNPs were synthesized using tyrosine as a reducing and capping agent, and a robust colorimetric aptasensor based on tyrosine-capped AuNPs (Tyr-AuNPs) was constructed for the label-free detection of marine toxins. Tyr-AuNPs presented better stability compared to Cit-AuNPs due to the stronger binding of amine groups on tyrosine to AuNPs through the Au-N bond. Interactions between Tyr-AuNPs and PbTx-2 were analyzed through UV-vis and isothermal titration calorimetry methods and the results validated the robustness of the Tyr-AuNPs. Colorimetric aptasensors were established for PbTx-2 and OA detection with a linear range of 0.05-4 ppm and limits of detection of 2.25 ppb and 5.19 ppb, respectively. These results demonstrate that the developed colorimetric aptasensor can be a robust and promising method for marine toxin detection.

MeSH terms

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide* / chemistry
  • Biosensing Techniques* / methods
  • Colorimetry / methods
  • Gold / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Limit of Detection
  • Metal Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Okadaic Acid
  • Tyrosine

Substances

  • Gold
  • Ptychodiscus brevis T2 toxin
  • Tyrosine
  • Okadaic Acid
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide