A signal-on photoelectrochemical aptasensor based on ferrocene labeled triple helix DNA molecular switch for detection of antibiotic amoxicillin

Abstract

A sensitive signal-on photoelectrochemical aptasensor for antibiotic determination was constructed based on the energy level matching between ferrocene and CuInS₂. P-type CuInS₂ microflower was complexed with reduced graphene oxide (CuInS₂/rGO) to get photocathode current with good photoelectric conversion efficiency and stability. Then, hairpin DNA (HP) was covalently bonded to the electrode surface. A triple helix DNA (THMS) was used as a molecular switch. After the specific recognition between target and THMS in homogeneous solution, ferrocene labeled probe (Fc-T2) was released. Finally, Fc-T2 was captured by the HP, which leaded the obvious increase of photocurrent for the energy level matching between ferrocene and CuInS₂. The increase of the photocurrent signal was proportional to the concentration of target amoxicillin (AMOX), the linear range was 100 fM-100 nM with detection limit of 19.57 fM. Meanwhile, the method has been successfully applied for milk and lake water samples analysis with satisfactory results.

Keywords: CuInS(2); Ferrocene; Photoelectrochemical aptasensor; Signal-on; Triple helix DNA.