A bimetallic (Cu-Co) Prussian Blue analogue loaded with gold nanoparticles for impedimetric aptasensing of ochratoxin a

A reusable screen-printed carbon electrode-based aptasensor for the determination of chloramphenicol in food and environment samples

An electrochemical aptasensor was developed for the determination of chloramphenicol (CAP) in fresh foods and food products. The aptasensor was developed using Prussian blue (PB) and chitosan (CS) film. PB acts as a redox probe for detection and CS acts as a sorption material. The aptamer (Apt) was immobilized on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Under optimum conditions, the linearity of the aptasensor was between 1.0 and 6.0 × 106 ng L-1 with a detection limit of 0.65 and a quantification limit of 2.15 ng L-1. The electrode could be regenerated up to 24 times without the use of chemicals. The aptasensor showed good repeatability (RSD <11.2%) and good reproducibility (RSD <7.7%). The proposed method successfully quantified CAP in milk, shrimp pond water and shrimp meat with good accuracy (recovery = 88.0 ± 0.6% to 100 ± 2%). The proposed aptasensor could be especially useful in agriculture to ensure the quality of food and the environment and could be used to determine other antibiotics.

Composite of a Stabilizer-Free Trimetallic Prussian Blue Analogue (PBA) and Polyaniline (PANI) on 3D Porous Nickel Foam for the Detection of Nitrofurantoin in Biological Fluids

Herein, a facile and highly effective nonenzymatic electrochemical sensing system is designed for the detection of the antibacterial drug nitrofurantoin (NFT). This electrocatalyst is a combination of a trimetallic Prussian blue analogue and conductive polyaniline coated onto a three-dimensional porous nickel foam substrate. A comprehensive set of physicochemical analyses have verified the successful synthesis. The fabricated electrochemical sensor exhibits an impressively low limit of detection (0.096 nM) and quantification (0.338 nM, S/N = 3.3), coupled with a wide linear range spanning from 0.1 nM to 5 mM and a sensitivity of 13.9 μA nM-1 cm-2. This excellent performance is attributed to the collaborative effects of conducting properties of polyaniline (PANI) and the remarkable redox behavior of the Prussian blue analogue (PBA). When both are integrated into the nickel foam, they create a significantly enlarged surface area with numerous catalytic active sites, enhancing the sensor's efficiency. The sensor demonstrates a high degree of specificity for NFT, while effectively minimizing responses to potential interferences such as flutamide, ascorbic acid, glucose, dopamine, uric acid, and nitrophenol, even when present in 2-3-fold higher concentrations. Moreover, to validate its practical utility, the sensor underwent real sample analysis using synthetic urine, achieving outstanding recovery rates of 118 and 101%.

Portable Hydrogel Kits Made with Bimetallic Nanozymes for Point-of-Care Testing of Perfluorooctanesulfonate

Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), an emerging organic contaminant, necessitates robust on-site detection strategies to safeguard human health and ecological balance. This study introduces a novel point-of-care testing (POCT) platform, combining a hydrogel kit with nanozymes and smartphone technology, for the highly sensitive detection of PFOS. The strategy utilizes copper-substituted cobalt-based Prussian blue analogue nanoboxes (CuCo-PBA NBs), which exhibit intricate hollow structures and remarkable peroxidase-like catalytic activity, efficiently catalyzing the oxidation of chromogenic substrates with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Density functional theory calculations elucidate the adsorption dynamics of H2O2 on CuCo-PBA NBs, identifying the factors that improve the catalytic efficiency. The colorimetric POCT platform, integrating the hydrogel kit with a smartphone interface, demonstrates practical utility and achieves a detection limit of 1.43 × 10-8 mol L-1 for PFOS. This research not only presents a new nanozyme design for PFOS detection in diverse matrices, such as lake water, whole blood, urine, and milk, but also paves the way for developing a portable and efficient POCT platform for a variety of emerging contaminants.

A NiFe PBA/AuNPs nanocomposite sensitive immunosensor for electrochemical detection of PSA

In this paper, a label-free electrochemical immunosensor for sensitive detection of prostate antigen (PSA) was developed based on a NiFe PBA/AuNPs composite. The prostate antigen antibody was immobilized and the immunosensor was constructed by using a glassy carbon electrode modified with a nanocomposite consisting of nickel-iron Prussian blue analog (NiFe PBA) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Due to the good biological affinity of AuNPs for biomolecules, as well as the porous nanostructure and regular shape of NiFe PBA, NiFe PBA/AuNPs nanocomposites significantly improve the electron transport rate, while achieving excellent performance for the sensor. Due to the interaction between the antibody and the antigen on the modified electrode, the current signal of the NiFe PBA itself is reduced due to the redox changes in Fe2+ and Fe3+, which can be determined by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Therefore, the monitoring of prostate antigen detection is realized. Under optimal experimental conditions, the immunosensor exhibited excellent detection performance with a dynamic response range from 0.5 pg mL-1 to 1000 pg mL-1 for the PSA concentration and a detection limit of 0.23 pg mL-1 (S/N = 3). In addition, the PSA aptasensor has good selectivity, high stability, and satisfactory reproducibility and has broad potential in clinical research and diagnostic applications.

A label-free aptasensor based on electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles on silver-based metal-organic frameworks for measuring ochratoxin A in black and red pepper

Since ochratoxin A (OTA) is immunotoxic, teratogenic and carcinogenic, it is very important to monitor this compound in food samples. In the present work, the development and fabrication of a label-free electrochemical aptasensor based on the gold nanoparticles/silver-based metal-organic framework (AuNPs/Ag-MOF) for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) is introduced. The aptasensor was fabricated by electrodeposition of AuNPs on a glassy carbon electrode modified with Ag-MOF. The characteristics of the synthesized Ag-MOF were determined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-Visible spectroscopy. The aptamer was immobilized on the modified electrode and then OTA was incubated on it. The process of different stages of the aptasensor construction has been confirmed by two methods of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) and using [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- as a redox probe. The EIS method has also been used for the OTA quantitative determination. The difference in charge transfer resistance (Rct) before and after the interaction of OTA with the immobilized aptamer was considered as the analytical response of the aptasensor. Using the developed aptasensor, it is possible to measure OTA in the concentration range of 1.0 × 10-3 to 200.0 ng mL-1 with a detection limit of 2.2 × 10-4 ng mL-1. Finally, the ability of the aptasensor to measure OTA in red and black pepper was investigated and completely satisfactory results were obtained.

A versatile CuCo@PDA nanozyme-based aptamer-mediated lateral flow assay for highly sensitive, on-site and dual-readout detection of Aflatoxin B1

Mycotoxin contaminations in food and environment seriously harms human health. Constructing sensitive and point-of-test early-warning tools for mycotoxin determination is in high demand. In this study, a CuCo@PDA nanozyme-based aptamer-mediated lateral flow assay (Apt-LFA) has been elaborately designed for on-site and sensitive determination of mycotoxin Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Benefiting from the rich functional groups and excellent peroxidase-like activity, the CuCo@PDA with original dark color can be conjugated with the specific recognition probe (i.e., aptamer), generating colorimetric signal on the test lines of Apt-LFA via a competitive sensing strategy. The signal can further be amplified in-situ by catalytic chromogenic reaction. Therefore, a visual and dual-readout detection of AFB1 has been realized. The developed Apt-LFA provides a flexible detection mode for qualitative and quantitative analysis of AFB1 by naked-eyes observation or smartphone readout. The smartphone-based LFA platform shows a reliable and ultrasensitive determination of AFB1 with the limit of detection (LOD) of 2.2 pg/mL. The recoveries in the real samples are in the range of 95.11-113.77% with coefficients of variations less than 9.84%. This study provides a new approach to realize point-of-test and sensitive detection of mycotoxins in food and environment using nanozyme-based Apt-LFAs.

Next-generation magnesium-ion batteries: The quasi-solid-state approach to multivalent metal ion storage

Mg-ion batteries offer a safe, low-cost, and high-energy density alternative to current Li-ion batteries. However, nonaqueous Mg-ion batteries struggle with poor ionic conductivity, while aqueous batteries face a narrow electrochemical window. Our group previously developed a water-in-salt battery with an operating voltage above 2 V yet still lower than its nonaqueous counterpart because of the dominance of proton over Mg-ion insertion in the cathode. We designed a quasi-solid-state magnesium-ion battery (QSMB) that confines the hydrogen bond network for true multivalent metal ion storage. The QSMB demonstrates an energy density of 264 W·hour kg-1, nearly five times higher than aqueous Mg-ion batteries and a voltage plateau (2.6 to 2.0 V), outperforming other Mg-ion batteries. In addition, it retains 90% of its capacity after 900 cycles at subzero temperatures (-22°C). The QSMB leverages the advantages of aqueous and nonaqueous systems, offering an innovative approach to designing high-performing Mg-ion batteries and other multivalent metal ion batteries.

Recent Progress in Aptamer-Functionalized Metal-Organic Frameworks-Based Optical and Electrochemical Sensors for Detection of Mycotoxins

Mycotoxin contamination in foodstuffs and agricultural products has posed a serious hazard to human health and raised international concern. The progress of cost-effective, facile, rapid and reliable analytical tools for mycotoxin determination is in urgent need. In this regard, the potential utility of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as a class of crystalline porous materials has sparked immense attention due to their large specific surface area, adjustable pore size, nanoscale framework structure and good chemical stability. The amalgamation of MOFs with high-affinity aptamers has resulted in the progress of advanced aptasensing methods for clinical and food/water safety diagnosis. Aptamers have many advantages over classical approaches as exceptional molecular recognition constituents for versatile bioassays tools. The excellent sensitivity and selectivity of the MOF-aptamer biocomposite nominate them as efficient lab-on-chip tools for portable, label-free, cost-effective and real-time screening of mycotoxins. Current breakthroughs in the concept, progress and biosensing applications of aptamer functionalized MOFs-derived electrochemical and optical sensors for mycotoxins have been discussed in this study. We first highlighted an overview part, which provides some insights into the functionalization mechanisms of MOFs with aptamers, offering a foundation to create MOFs-based aptasensors. Then, we discuss various strategies to design high-performance MOFs-based aptamer scaffolds, which serve as either signal nanoprobe carriers or signal nanoprobes and their applications. We perceived that applications of optical aptamers are in their infancy in comparison with electrochemical MOFs-derived aptasensors. Finally, current challenges and prospective trends of MOFs-aptamer sensors are discussed.

Selective and Sensitive Electrochemical Sensor for Aflatoxin M1 with a Molybdenum Disulfide Quantum Dot/Metal-Organic Framework Nanocomposite

Aflatoxins are the hepatotoxic secondary metabolites which are highly carcinogenic and known to cause several adverse effects on human health. The present study reports a simple, sensitive, and novel electrochemical sensor for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1). The sensor has been fabricated by modifying the screen-printed carbon electrodes with a functional nanocomposite of molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) quantum dots (QDs) and a zirconium-based metal-organic framework (MOF), that is, UiO-66-NH₂. The MoS₂/UiO-66-modified electrodes were decorated with the AFM1-specific monoclonal antibodies and then investigated for the electrochemical detection of AFM1. Based on the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis, it was possible to detect AFM1 in the concentration range of 0.2-10 ng mL^-1 with a limit of detection of 0.06 ng mL^-1. The realization of an excellent sensing performance can be attributed to the electroactivity of MoS₂ QDs and the large surface to volume area achieved by the addition of the MOF. The presence of UiO-66-NH₂ is also useful to attain readily available amine functionality for the robust interfacing of antibodies. The performance of the developed sensor has also been validated by detecting AFM1 in the spiked milk samples.

Recent advances in the highly sensitive determination of zearalenone residues in water and environmental resources with electrochemical biosensors

Zearalenone (ZEN), a significant class of mycotoxin which is considered as a xenoestrogen, permits, similar to natural estrogens, it's binding to the receptors of estrogen resulting in various reproductive diseases especially, hormonal misbalance. ZEN has toxic effects on human and animal health as a result of its teratogenicity, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, nephrotoxicity, genotoxicity, and immunotoxicity. To ensure water and environmental resources safety, precise, rapid, sensitive, and reliable analytical and conventional methods can be progressed for the determination of toxins such as ZEN. Different selective nanomaterial-based compounds are used in conjunction with different analytical detection approaches to achieve this goal. The current review demonstrates the state-of-the-art advances of nanomaterial-based electrochemical sensing assays including various sensing, apta-sensing and, immunosensing studies to the highly sensitive determination of various ZEN families. At first, a concise study of the occurrence, structure, toxicity, legislations, and distribution of ZEN in monitoring has been performed. Then, different conventional and clinical techniques and procedures to sensitive and selective sensing techniques have been reviewed and the efficient comparison of them has been thoroughly discussed. This study has also summarized the salient features and the requirements for applying various sensing and biosensing platforms and diverse immobilization techniques in ZEN detection. Finally, we have defined the performance of several electrochemical sensors applying diverse recognition elements couples with nanomaterials fabricated using various recognition elements coupled with nanomaterials (metal NPs, metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs), graphene, and CNT) the issues limiting development, and the forthcoming tasks in successful construction with the applied nanomaterials.

Electrospinning One-dimensional Surface-phosphorized CuCo/C nanofibers for Enzyme-free Glucose Sensing

Developing novel electrocatalysts is of great importance for the practical application of non-enzymatic glucose sensors. One-dimensional (1D) carbon fiber-supported copper-cobalt bimetallic electrocatalysts (CuCo-P350) are successfully prepared via electrospinning technology and...

Aptasensors for mycotoxins in foods: Recent advances and future trends

Mycotoxin contamination in foods has posed serious threat to public health and raised worldwide concern. The development of simple, rapid, facile, and cost-effective methods for mycotoxin detection is of urgent need. Aptamer-based sensors, abbreviated as aptasensors, with excellent recognition capacity to a wide variety of mycotoxins have attracted ever-increasing interest of researchers because of their simple fabrication, rapid response, high sensitivity, low cost, and easy adaptability for in situ measurement. The past few decades have witnessed the rapid advances of aptasensors for mycotoxin detection in foods. Therefore, this review first summarizes the reported aptamer sequences specific for mycotoxins. Then, the recent 5-year advancements in various newly developed aptasensors, which, according to the signal output mode, are divided into electrochemical, optical and photoelectrochemical categories, for mycotoxin detection are comprehensively discussed. A special attention is taken on their strengths and limitations in real-world application. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives for developing novel highly reliable aptasensors for mycotoxin detection are highlighted, which is expected to provide powerful references for their thorough research and extended applications. Owing to their unique advantages, aptasensors display a fascinating prospect in food field for safety inspection and risk assessment.

Aptasensors for mycotoxin detection: A review

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by fungi, which represent a risk to the food and feed supply chain, having an impact on health and economies. A high percentage of feed samples have been reported to be contaminated with more than one type of mycotoxin. Systematic, cost-effective and simple tools for testing are critical to achieve a rapid and accurate screening of food and feed quality. In this review, we describe the various aptamers that have been selected against mycotoxins and their incorporation into optical and electrochemical aptasensors, outlining the strategies exploited, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. The review also discusses the different materials used and the immobilization methods employed, with the aim of achieving the highest sensitivity and selectivity.

Patulin and Trichothecene: characteristics, occurrence, toxic effects and detection capabilities via clinical, analytical and nanostructured electrochemical sensing/biosensing assays in foodstuffs

Patulin and Trichothecene as the main groups of mycotoxins in significant quantities can cause health risks from allergic reactions to death on both humans and animals. Accordingly, rapid and highly sensitive determination of these toxics agents is of great importance. This review starts with a comprehensive outlook regarding the characteristics, occurrence and toxic effects of Patulin and Trichothecene. In the following, numerous clinical and analytical approaches have been extensively discussed. The main emphasis of this review is placed on the utilization of novel nanomaterial based electrochemical sensing/biosensing tools for highly sensitive determination of Patulin and Trichothecene. Furthermore, a detailed and comprehensive comparison has been performed between clinical, analytical and sensing methods. Subsequently, the nanomaterial based electrochemical sensing platforms have been approved as reliable tools for on-site analysis of Patulin and Trichothecene in food processing and manufacturing industries. Different nanomaterials in improving the performance of detecting assays were investigated and have various benefits toward clinical and analytical methods. This paper would address the limitations in the current developments as well as the future challenges involved in the successful construction of sensing approaches with the functionalized nanomaterials and also allow exploring into core-research works regarding this area.

Novel impedimetric sensing strategy for detecting ochratoxin A based on NH2-MIL-101(Fe) metal-organic framework doped with cobalt phthalocyanine nanoparticles

Iron-based metal-organic framework, NH₂-MIL-101(Fe), was doped with different dosages of cobalt phthalocyanine nanoparticles (CoPc) to synthesize a series of NH₂-MIL-101(Fe)@CoPc nanocomposites. The NH₂-MIL-101(Fe)@CoPc nanocomposites were then employed to construct novel impedimetric aptasensors for the detection of ochratoxin A (OTA). Combining the intrinsic advantages of NH₂-MIL-101(Fe) (highly porous structure and excellently electrochemical activity) and CoPc (good physiochemical stability and strong bioaffinity), the NH₂-MIL-101(Fe)@CoPc nanocomposites show promising properties, which are beneficial for immobilizing OTA-targeted aptamer strands. Amongst, the developed impedimetric aptasensor based on NH₂-MIL-101(Fe)@CoPc_6:1, prepared using the mass ratio of NH₂-MIL-101(Fe):CoPc of 6:1, exhibits the best amplified electrochemical signal and highest sensitivity for detecting OTA. The detection limitation is 0.063 fg·mL^-1 within the OTA concentration of 0.0001-100 pg·mL^-1, accompanying with high selectivity, good reproducibility and stability, acceptable regenerability, and wide applicability in diverse real samples. Consequently, the proposed sensing strategy can be applied for detecting OTA to cope with food safety.

A Novel Polydopamine Grafted 3D MOF Nanocubes Mediated GR-5/GC DNAzyme Complex with Enhanced Fluorescence Emission Response toward Spontaneous Detection of Pb(II) and Ag(I) Ions

In this work, we have proposed a novel DNAzyme/MnCoPBAs-PDANCs complex-based fluorescence biosensor for subsequent detection of Pb²⁺ and Ag⁺ ions. The GR-5/GC-rich DNAzymes are strongly anchored or quenched on the surface of polydopamine hybridized 3D metal-organic framework MnCoPBAs-PDANCs by π-π stacking interaction. Addition of Pb²⁺ ions has exhibited a catalytic inner cleavage of DNAzyme complex and disturbs to release shorter GC-rich sequence over the surface of MnCoPBAs-PDANCs complexes. Later on, addition of intercalating dye ThT interacts with free GC-rich substrate strand to form a G-quadruplex-ThT structure and thereby effectively enhanced the fluorescence intensity ("turn-on"). Interestingly, subsequent addition of Ag⁺ ions has an uncoiled GQ-ThT structure to provide a robust double-stranded DNA featuring C-Ag⁺-C, which diminishes ("turn-off") the fluorescence intensity. This improved hybrid sensor exhibited a linear response in a concentration range of 3-9 nM for Pb²⁺, while 4-20 nM for Ag⁺ ions with a lower detection limit of 1.6 and 4.2 nM, respectively. Further, the method was successfully implemented for the analysis of Pb²⁺ and Ag⁺ ions in real water samples with a good regaining and high efficacy for practical analysis.

A novel electrochemical aptasensor for ochratoxin a sensing in spiked food using strand-displacement polymerase reaction

Herein, an aptasensor is presented for electrochemical determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) based on nontarget-triggered production of rolling circular amplification (RCA). The surface of gold electrode is modified with thiolated complementary strand of aptamer (CS) as both capture probe and primer and OTA aptamer (Apt) as both sensing molecule and padlock probe (PLP). Following the addition of OTA, Apt/OTA conjugate is formed and detached from the electrode surface. Therefore, no RCA is produced after incubation of the modified electrode with T4 DNA ligase and phi29 DNA polymerase and a sharp current signal occurs. The analytical response ranged from 30 pM to 120 nM with detection limit of 5 pM. The designed aptasensor showed superior analytical performance in comparison with other approaches for OTA detection. Also, the approach exhibited good performance for OTA determination in spiked grape juice samples. The technique presented in this study, can be applied to develop sensors for detecting different toxins by replacing the relevant aptamers and complementary strands.

Recent Progress and Development of G-Quadruplex-Based Luminescent Assays for Ochratoxin A Detection

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin that is widespread throughout the world. It contaminates foods such as vegetables, fruits, and rice. It harms human health and has potential carcinogenic effects. The G-quadruplex (G4) is a tetraplexed DNA structure generated from guanine-rich DNA that has found emerging use in aptamer-based sensing systems. This review outlines the status of OTA contamination and conventional detection methods for OTA. Various G4-based methods to detect OTA developed in recent years are summarized along with their advantages and disadvantages compared to existing approaches.

Specific Coordination between Zr-MOF and Phosphate-Terminated DNA Coupled with Strand Displacement for the Construction of Reusable and Ultrasensitive Aptasensor

Electrochemical aptasensors involved in chemical labeling are often single-use and sensitivity-limited because the probes are commonly single-point labeled and irreversible. In this work, the specific coordination between Zr⁴⁺ and phosphate group (-PO₄^3-) was employed to construct a new aptasensor that is highly sensitive and reusable, using Ochratoxin A (OTA) as the test model. The OTA binding aptamer (OBA) was hybridized with the thiolated supporting sequence (TSS) immobilized on the surface of a gold electrode. The UiO-66 with a formula of [Zr₆O₄(OH)₄(BDC)₆], one of the class of Zr metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), was then particularly grafted on the terminal of OBA through the specific coordination between Zr⁴⁺ and 5'-PO₄^3-, i.e., the Zr-O-P coordination bond. Similarly, as much as the 5'-PO₄^3- and 3'-methylene blue dual-labeled sequences (DLS) were further assembled on UiO-66 due to the large surface area of MOF and rich active sites of Zr⁴⁺. Owing to the specific coordination for signal amplification, the developed aptasensor shows greatly enhanced sensitivity. A wide detection range from 0.1 fM to 2.0 μM and an ultralow detection limit of 0.079 fM (S/N = 3) for OTA were obtained. Additionally, the TSS can rehybridize with a new OBA to regenerate the aptasensor but without complicated pretreatments, enabling a aptasensor that is readily reusable for OTA detection. The aptasensor was successfully applied for OTA detection in the red wine samples, demonstrating a promising prospect for food safety monitoring.

A Non-Enzyme and Non-Label Sensitive Fluorescent Aptasensor Based on Simulation-Assisted and Target-Triggered Hairpin Probe Self-Assembly for Ochratoxin a Detection

The monitoring and control of mycotoxins has caused widespread concern due to their adverse effects on human health. In this research, a simple, sensitive and non-label fluorescent aptasensor has been reported for mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) detection based on high selectivity of aptamers and amplification of non-enzyme hybridization chain reaction (HCR). After the introduction of OTA, the aptamer portion of hairpin probe H1 will combine with OTA to form OTA-aptamer complexes. Subsequently, the remainder of the opened H1 will act as an initiator for the HCR between the two hairpin probes, causing H1 and H2 to be sequentially opened and assembled into continuous DNA duplexes embedded with numerous G-quadruplexes, leading to a significant enhancement in fluorescence signal after binding with N-methyl-mesoporphyrin IX (NMM). The proposed sensing strategy can detect OTA with concentration as low as 4.9 pM. Besides, satisfactory results have also been obtained in the tests of actual samples. More importantly, the thermodynamic properties of nucleic acid chains in the monitoring platform were analyzed and the reaction processes and conditions were simulated before carrying out biological experiments, which theoretically proved the feasibility and simplified subsequent experimental operations. Therefore, the proposed method possess a certain application value in terms of monitoring mycotoxins in food samples and improving the quality control of food security.

Recent Advances in Ochratoxin A Electrochemical Biosensors: Recognition Elements, Sensitization Technologies, and Their Applications

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a class of mycotoxin that are mainly produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium and widely found in plant origin food. OTA-contaminated foods can cause serious harm to animals and humans, while high stability of OTA makes it difficult to remove in conventional food processing. Thus, sensitive and rapid detection of OTA undoubtedly plays an important role in OTA prevention and control. In this paper, the conventional and novel methods of OTA at home and abroad are summarized and compared. The latest research progress and related applications of novel OTA electrochemical biosensors are mainly described with a new perspective. We innovatively divided the recognition element into single and combined recognition elements. Specifically, signal amplification technologies applied to the OTA electrochemical aptasensor are proposed. Furthermore, summary of the current limitations and future challenges in OTA analysis is included, which provide reference for the further research and applications.

Electrochemical aptasensors based on the gold nanostructures

Electrochemical aptasensors as novel diagnostic tools have attracted sufficient research interest in biomedical sciences. In this review, recent leading trends about gold (Au) nanostructures based electrochemical aptasensors have been collected, reviewed, and compared. Here, the considered electrochemical aptasensors were categorized based on the analytes and diagnostic techniques. Pharmaceutical analytes and biomolecules were reviewed in a separate section consisting of a variety of antibiotics, analgesics, and other biomolecules. Various aptasensors have also measured toxins, ions, and hazardous chemicals, and the findings of them have also been reviewed. Many aptasensors have been designed to detect different disease biomarkers that will play an essential role in the future of early diagnosis of diseases. Pathogen microorganisms have been considered as the analyte in several designed electrochemical aptasensors in recent researches, and their results have been reviewed and discussed as another section. Important aspects considered in the review of the mentioned aptasensors were the type of analyte, features of the aptamer as the biorecognition element, type of Au nanostructures, diagnostic technique, diagnostic mechanism, detection range and the limit of detection (LOD). In the last section, an in-depth analysis has been provided based on the crucial features of all included aptasensors.

Voltammetric determination of organophosphorus pesticides using a hairpin aptamer immobilized in a graphene oxide-chitosan composite

An aptasensor is described for electrochemical determination of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs), specifically of profenofos, phorate, isocarbophos, and omethoate. The method uses a hairpin aptamer as signalling donor. Its 5' and 3' ends were modified with amino groups and the redox probe ferrocene (Fc), respectively. A nanocomposite consisting of graphene oxide and chitosan (GO-chit) was used to immobilize the aptamer via formation of an amide link. Its good conductivity facilitates monitoring of the electrochemical responses. Upon addition of an OPP, it will be bound by the aptamer. This results in an opening of the hairpin structure. Thus, Fc is shifted away from the surface of the electrode. As a result, the impedance increases and the redox signal of Fc decreases. The electrochemical performance, binding capacity and response of the aptasensor for profenofos, phorate, isocarbophos and omethoate were studied. The limits of detection are as low as 0.01, 0.1, 0.01 and 0.1 nM, respectively. Graphical abstract Schematic representation of an electrochemical aptasensor prepared by immobilizing ferrocene (Fc) labeled hairpin aptamer (HP) on the surface of graphene oxide-chitosan (GO-chit) modified electrode, and its application to the determination of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) by voltammetry.

A review on recent developments in optical and electrochemical aptamer-based assays for mycotoxins using advanced nanomaterials

This review (with 163 refs) covers the recent developments of nanomaterial-based optical and electrochemical sensors for mycotoxins. The review starts with a brief discussion on occurrence, distribution, toxicity of mycotoxins and the legislations in monitoring their levels. It further outlines the research methods, various recognition matrices and the strategies involved in the development of highly sensitive and selective sensor systems. It also points out the salient features and importance of aptasensors in the detection of mycotoxins along with the different immobilization methods of aptamers. The review meticulously discusses the performance of different optical and electrochemical sensors fabricated using aptamers coupled with nanomaterials (CNT, graphene, metal nanoparticles and metal oxide nanoparticles). The review addresses the limitations in the current developments as well as the future challenges involved in the successful construction of aptasensors with the functionalized nanomaterials. Graphical abstract Recent developments in nanomaterial based aptasensors for mycotoxins are summarized. Specifically, the efficiency of the nanomaterial coupled aptasensors (such as CNT, graphene, metal nanoparticles and metal oxide nanoparticles) in optical and electrochemical methods are discussed.