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Colorimetric determination of lysozyme based on the aggregation of gold nanoparticles controlled by a cationic polymer and an aptamer

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Abstract

We report on a colorimetric lysozyme (LZ) assay that is based on the aggregation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) induced by poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and an LZ-specific 25-base aptamer. The method is based on the finding that AuNPs undergo aggregation on addition of PDDA. If, however, aptamer is present, it will undergo electrostatic interaction with PDDA to form a duplex structure. Hence, the aggregation of AuNPs is suppressed. Upon the addition of LZ, the aptamer will bind to LZ to form a complex. Subsequent addition of PDDA causes the aggregation of 20-nm AuNPs which is accompanied by a color change from red to blue. Based on this color change, LZ can be determined qualitatively with bare eyes, and quantitatively by photometry by measuring the absorbance ratio at 590 and 531 nm. The calibration plot is linear in the 4.4 to 200 nM LZ concentration range, and the detection limit is 4.4 nM (at an S/N ratio of 3). The method was successfully employed to the determination of LZ in egg white. Results were compared to those of an established method and gave recoveries between 95.8 and 115 %, with RSDs of <3.9 %.

A rapid, selective and sensitive colorimetric biosensing system is described for lysozyme determination. It is based on the aggregation of gold nanoparticles that is mediated by the interaction among poly(diallyldimethylammononium chloride), a lysozyme-specific 25-base aptamer and lysozyme.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the financial support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21175048) and Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, China (2015A030311013).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Institute of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China

    Xin Yao, Xiangdong Ma, Chun Ding & Li Jia

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  1. Xin Yao
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  2. Xiangdong Ma
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  3. Chun Ding
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  4. Li Jia
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Correspondence to Li Jia.

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Yao, X., Ma, X., Ding, C. et al. Colorimetric determination of lysozyme based on the aggregation of gold nanoparticles controlled by a cationic polymer and an aptamer. Microchim Acta 183, 2353–2359 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-016-1876-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-016-1876-6

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