Screening and identification of a DNA aptamer to construct the label-free fluorescent aptasensor for ultrasensitive and selective detection of clothianidin residue in agricultural products

Identification of phoxim and omethoate using α-hemolysin nanopore and aptamers

Contamination with pesticides has inflicted substantial harm on human health; therefore, developing rapid, ultra-sensitive, and non-labelling simultaneous detection methods for multiple pesticides is necessary. In this study, we demonstrated that α-hemolysin (α-HL) nanopore sensor can detect and discriminate organophosphorus pesticides of phoxim and omethoate in a single nanopore without requiring labels of the probes or purification of the pesticides in real samples. Aptamers specifically recognise and bind pesticides to obtain pesticide-aptamer complexes that produce characteristic current signals while passing through the nanopore. Phoxim and omethoate were accurately distinguished by a portable instrument within minutes, and their detection sensitivity was up to the femtomole level, whether detected alone or simultaneously. The detection limits of phoxim and omethoate were 8.13 × 10-16 M and 4.16 × 10-15 M. The recoveries of phoxim and omethoate from pear, tomato, and cucumber samples were 82.0-107.0 % and 81.9-118.3 % respectively, with coefficient of variable below 8.0 %.

Enhancing Target Detection: A Fluorescence-Based Streptavidin-Bead Displacement Assay

Fluorescence-based aptasensors have been regarded as innovative analytical tools for the detection and quantification of analytes in many fields, including medicine and therapeutics. Using DNA aptamers as the biosensor recognition component, conventional molecular beacon aptasensor designs utilise target-induced structural switches of the DNA aptamers to generate a measurable fluorescent signal. However, not all DNA aptamers undergo sufficient target-specific conformational changes for significant fluorescence measurements. Here, the use of complementary 'antisense' strands is proposed to enable fluorescence measurement through strand displacement upon target binding. Using a published target-specific DNA aptamer against the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2, we designed a streptavidin-aptamer bead complex as a fluorescence displacement assay for target detection. The developed assay demonstrates a linear range from 50 to 800 nanomolar (nM) with a limit of detection calculated at 67.5 nM and a limit of quantification calculated at 204.5 nM. This provides a 'fit-for-purpose' model assay for the detection and quantification of any target of interest by adapting and functionalising a suitable target-specific DNA aptamer and its complementary antisense strand.

Combination of Capture-SELEX and Post-SELEX for procymidone-specific aptamer selection and broad-specificity aptamer discovery, and development of aptamer-based lateral flow assay

BACKGROUND

Due to its wide application, procymidone has become one of the pesticides with high detection rates in supervision and sampling. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a rapid and efficient method for the detection of procymidone. However, an important bottleneck restricting the development of rapid detection methods of procymidone is that its specific recognition elements are rarely reported. In this work, Capture-SELEX and post-SELEX were used in aptamer screening, and the obtained aptamers were used to construct an aptamer-based lateral flow assay (LFA).

RESULTS

Firstly, a specific aptamer Seq15 was obtained for procymidone by Capture-SELEX, and its dissociation constant (Kd) was 24.22 nM. Secondly, post-SELEX was used to analyze and modify Seq15 to improve its performance, and the Kd of the truncated sequence Seq15-2 was 21.28 nM. In addition to this, the broad-specificity aptamer Seq17-1 was obtained via post-SELEX. Seq17-1 could broadly recognize dicarboximide fungicides (procymidone, iprodione, chlozolinate, dimethachlon and vinclozolin) and their metabolic derivative (3,5-dichloroaniline). Finally, the specific aptamer-based LFA of procymidone was constructed, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.79 ng/mL. Meanwhile, the LODs of dicarboximide fungicides and their metabolic derivative were 0.62, 0.64, 0.71, 0.69, 0.64 and 0.66 ng/mL, respectively. The above LFAs were highly specific and stable, and had been successfully used for the detection of vegetable samples.

SIGNIFICANCE

Under the combination of Capture-SELEX and Post-SELEX, this study not only provides specific recognition elements for rapid detection of procymidone, but also provides new ideas for the discovery of broad-specificity aptamers. Combining broad-specificity primary detection and single-specificity quantification, a composite aptamer-based LFA detection platform has been developed, which significantly improves detection efficiency.

Aptamer-based biosensors for the detection of neonicotinoid insecticides in environmental samples: A systematic review

Neonicotinoids, sometimes abbreviated as neonics, represent a class of neuro-active insecticides with chemical similarities to nicotine. Neonicotinoids are the most widely adopted group of insecticides globally since their discovery in the late 1980s. Their physiochemical properties surpass those of previously established insecticides, contributing to their popularity in various sectors such as agriculture and wood treatment. The environmental impact of neonicotinoids, often overlooked, underscores the urgency to develop tools for their detection and understanding of their behavior. Conventional methods for pesticide detection have limitations. Chromatographic techniques are sensitive but expensive, generate waste, and require complex sample preparation. Bioassays lack specificity and accuracy, making them suitable as preliminary tests in conjunction with instrumental methods. Aptamer-based biosensor is recognized as an advantageous tool for neonicotinoids detection due to its rapid response, user-friendly nature, cost-effectiveness, and suitability for on-site detection. This comprehensive review represents the inaugural in-depth analysis of advancements in aptamer-based biosensors targeting neonicotinoids such as imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, clothianidin, acetamiprid, thiacloprid, nitenpyram, and dinotefuran. Additionally, the review offers valuable insights into the critical challenges requiring prompt attention for the successful transition from research to practical field applications.

Porphyrin-based covalent organic framework as oxidase mimic for highly sensitive colorimetric detection of pesticides

A covalent organic framework-based strategy was designed for label-free colorimetric detection of pesticides. Covalent organic framework-based nanoenzyme with excellent oxidase-like catalytic activity was synthesized. Unlike other artificial enzymes, porphyrin-based covalent organic framework (p-COF) as the oxidase mimic showed highly catalytic chromogenic activity and good affinity toward TMB without the presence of H2O2, which can be used as substitute for peroxidase mimics and H2O2 system in the colorimetric reaction. Based on the fact that the pesticide-aptamer complex can inhibit the oxidase activity of p-COF and reduced the absorbance at 650 nm in UV-Vis spectrum, a label-free and facile colorimetric detection of pesticides was designed and fabricated. Under the optimized conditions, the COF-based colorimetric probe for pesticide detection displayed high sensitivity and selectivity. Taking fipronil for example the limit of detection was 2.7 ng/mL and the linear range was 5 -500,000 ng/mL. The strategy was successfully applied to the detection of pesticides with good recovery , which was in accordance with that of HPLC-MS/MS. The COF-based colorimetric detection was free of complicated modification H2O2, which guaranteed the accuracy and reliability of measurements. The COF-based sensing strategy is a potential candidate for the sensitive detection of pesticides of interests.

An overview of aptamer: Design strategy, prominent applications, and potential challenge in plants

Aptamers, serving as highly efficient molecular recognition and biotechnology tools, have garnered increasing interest in the realm of plant science in recent years. Aptamers are synthetic single-stranded short nucleotides or peptides, that bind targets with high specificity and affinity, triggering precise biological responses. As an alternative to antibodies, aptamers present promising avenues for advancement in biological researches. Aptamers function in a range of fields, encompassing cell signaling, drug development, biosensor technology, as well as botany, agricultural and forestry sciences. In this review, we introduce classifications and screening methods of aptamers, as well as aptamer-based technologies, highlighting their significant contributions to recent advancements. With their powerful functionality and ability to bind targets with high specificity and affinity, aptamers offer promising opportunities for breakthroughs in plant research.

A review of the influence of environmental pollutants (microplastics, pesticides, antibiotics, air pollutants, viruses, bacteria) on animal viruses

Microorganisms, especially viruses, cause disease in both humans and animals. Environmental chemical pollutants including microplastics, pesticides, antibiotics sand air pollutants arisen from human activities affect both animal and human health. This review assesses the impact of chemical and biological contaminants (virus and bacteria) on viruses including its life cycle, survival, mutations, loads and titers, shedding, transmission, infection, re-assortment, interference, abundance, viral transfer between cells, and the susceptibility of the host to viruses. It summarizes the sources of environmental contaminants, interactions between contaminants and viruses, and methods used to mitigate such interactions. Overall, this review provides a perspective of environmentally co-occurring contaminants on animal viruses that would be useful for future research on virus-animal-human-ecosystem harmony studies to safeguard human and animal health.

Pesticide residue detection technology for herbal medicine: current status, challenges, and prospects

The domains of cancer therapy, disease prevention, and health care greatly benefit from the use of herbal medicine. Herbal medicine has become the mainstay of developing characteristic agriculture in the planting area increasing year by year. One of the most significant factors in affecting the quality of herbal medicines is the pesticide residue problem caused by pesticide abuse during the cultivation of herbal medicines. It is urgent to solve the problem of detecting pesticide residues in herbal medicines efficiently and rapidly. In this review, we provide a comprehensive description of the various methods used for pesticide residue testing, including optical detection, the enzyme inhibition rate method, molecular detection methods, enzyme immunoassays, lateral immunochromatographic, nanoparticle-based detection methods, colorimetric immunosensor, chemiluminescence immunosensor, smartphone-based immunosensor, etc. On this basis, we systematically analyze the mechanisms and some of the findings of the above detection strategies and discuss the challenges and prospects associated with the development of pesticide residue detection tools.