A Dual-Signaling Electrochemical Aptasensor Based on an In-Plane Gold Nanoparticles–Black Phosphorus Heterostructure for the Sensitive Detection of Patulin

Abstract

Patulin (PAT), a type of mycotoxin existing in foodstuffs, is harmful to food safety and human health. Thus, it is necessary to develop sensitive, selective and reliable analytical methods for PAT detection. In this study, a sensitive aptasensor based on a dual-signaling strategy was fabricated, in which a methylene-blue-labeled aptamer and ferrocene monocarboxylic acid in the electrolyte acted as a dual signal, for monitoring PAT. To improve the sensitivity of the aptasensor, an in-plane gold nanoparticles–black phosphorus heterostructure (AuNPs-BPNS) was synthesized for signal amplification. Due to the combination of AuNPs-BPNS nanocomposites and the dual-signaling strategy, the proposed aptasensor has a good analytical performance for PAT detection with the broad linear range of 0.1 nM–100.0 μM and the low detection limit of 0.043 nM. Moreover, the aptasensor was successfully employed for real sample detection, such as apple, pear and tomato. It is expected that BPNS-based nanomaterials hold great promise for developing novel aptasensors and may provide a sensing platform for food safety monitoring.

Structural switching aptamer-based electrochemical sensor for mycotoxin patulin detection

“…Patulin (PAT) is a specific mycotoxin known to contribute to the toxicity of food, with a notable presence in apples [8][9][10][11]. It is classified as a secondary metabolite produced by various fungal species, such as Penicillium expansum (P. leucopus), P. patulum (P. urticae, P. griseofulvum), P. crustosum, and A. clavatus [12,13]. PAT, characterized by its low molecular weight, water solubility, and thermal stability [14], represents a significant global food safety concern.…”

“…Exploiting the benefits of both electrochemical sensors and aptamers, electrochemical platforms have been developed for the rapid detection of PAT [44]. To improve the sensitivity of these electrochemical biosensors, various nanomaterials have been employed to enhance signal amplification [45].…”

“…Through meticulous evaluation, the most optimal aptamer was identified, demonstrating remarkable sensitivity in the detection of PAT within apple puree samples, with detection limits of 30 fg/mL and 50 fg/mL [46]. In a subsequent investigation by Xu et al in 2019, an impedimetric methodology was adopted to develop a PAT sensor, wherein graphene-like black phosphorus nanosheets (BP NSs) were strategically employed for the surface modification of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) [45]. Further enhancements were achieved by functionalizing the BP-NS-GCE interface with gold nanoparticles and thiolated PAT aptamer, resulting in a significantly reduced detection limit [47].…”

“…Notably, the synthesis of a gold nanoparticle-black phosphorus heterostructure (AuNPs-BPNS) was executed to effectively amplify the sensing performance. This aptasensor demonstrated a wide dynamic range spanning from 0.1 nM to 100.0 μM, along with an impressively low detection limit of 0.043 nM [12].…”

Impedimetric Polyaniline-Based Aptasensor for Aflatoxin B1 Determination in Agricultural Products

“…To improve the sensitivity over a wide range of analyte mycotoxin, recent studies on aptasensors with advanced and emerging techniques have been reported based on an in-plane AnNPs–black phosphorus heterostructure (AuNPs-BPNS) was synthesized for signal amplification with a dual-signaling strategy, in which a methylene-blue-labeled aptamer and ferrocene monocarboxylic acid in the electrolyte was fabricated for sensitive detection of patulin [ 71 ]. Yao et al [ 72 ] developed a dual-enzyme-based signal-amplified aptasensor with emerging CRISPR-based technology to sensitively detect zearalenone by using two aptamers as recognition elements and EnGen LbaCas12a and Nt.AlwI nicking endonuclease as signal amplifiers.…”