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An “on–off–on” electrochemiluminescence aptasensor based on a self-enhanced luminophore for ochratoxin A detection

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Abstract

A highly selective and sensitive “on–off–on” electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensor based on a self-enhanced luminophore was developed for the detection of ochratoxin A (OTA). Specifically, polyethyleneimine functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-PEI-MWCNTs) were used as the electrode matrix to accelerate electron transfer and provide a favorable microenvironment for self-enhanced luminophore loading and ECL signal enhancement. In addition, black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) were used as co-reactants of the ECL reagent tris (2,2′-bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)32+) in ECL experiments, and the reaction mechanism was investigated. The self-enhanced luminophore Ru@SiO2-BPQDs was obtained by encapsulating Ru(bpy)32+ in silica (SiO2) nanoparticles and then combining it with BPQDs through electrostatic interaction. In conventional ECL systems, the emitter and its co-reactants reacted via the inter-nanoparticle pathway, leading to long distance electron transfer. However, the electron transfer distance in the self-enhanced luminophore was significantly shortened due to the intra-nanoparticle electron transfer pathway because BPQDs and oxidized Ru(bpy)32+ were bound within one nanoparticle, thereby improving ECL efficiency to achieve the first “switch-on” state. Then, the luminophore was quenched using ferrocenes (Fc) modified on an aptamer to achieve the “switch-off” state. Finally, OTA was specifically identified by the adapter, causing Fc to be released from the sensor interface, restoring the ECL intensity to achieve the second “switch-on” state. Under optimal conditions, the aptasensor exhibited good sensitivity, stability, and reproducibility, with a linear detection range from 0.1 to 320 ng/mL and a detection limit of 0.03 ng/mL. The novel ECL aptasensor provided a common analytical tool for the detection of mycotoxins and other small molecules.

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Acknowledgements

We appreciate the reviewers and the editors for their helpful and constructive comments that greatly improved our work.

Funding

This work was financially supported by the Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation (ZR202210210044, ZR2022MC196) and the Central Finance Guidance Local Science and Technology Development Fund Project (YDZX2022163).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, No. 266 Xincun Xilu, Zibo, 255049, China

    Maosheng Sang, Xiaoya Meng, Yuhao Zhang, Zhongyu Li, Quanlong Zhou, Xiangzhu Jing, Xia Sun & Wenping Zhao

  2. Shandong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Vegetable Safety and Quality Traceability, No. 266 Xincun Xilu, Zibo, 255049, China

    Maosheng Sang, Xiaoya Meng, Yuhao Zhang, Zhongyu Li, Quanlong Zhou, Xiangzhu Jing, Xia Sun & Wenping Zhao

  3. Zibo City Key Laboratory of Agricultural Product Safety Traceability, No. 266 Xincun Xilu, Zibo, 255049, China

    Maosheng Sang, Xiaoya Meng, Yuhao Zhang, Zhongyu Li, Quanlong Zhou, Xiangzhu Jing, Xia Sun & Wenping Zhao

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  1. Maosheng Sang
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Correspondence to Wenping Zhao.

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Sang, M., Meng, X., Zhang, Y. et al. An “on–off–on” electrochemiluminescence aptasensor based on a self-enhanced luminophore for ochratoxin A detection. Anal Bioanal Chem 415, 5833–5844 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-023-04864-8

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