Aug 2026· Analytical Methods· 0 citations· 34 references
Medicine
Abstract
As a prevalent heat-induced byproduct, acrylamide (AA) is frequently generated during thermal food processing, particularly in baked and fried goods. It is a Group 2A carcinogen produced via the Maillard reaction and exhibits neurotoxicity as well as reproductive and developmental toxicity. In this work, DNA nanoflowers (DNF) with remarkable signal amplification were integrated with methylene blue (MB) to fabricate a novel, high-performance electrochemical signal probe. The high affinity and selective recognition of the aptamer toward AA effectively prevents the signal probe from attaching to the electrode surface, enabling ultrasensitive, quantitative electrochemical detection of AA. Under optimal conditions, the proposed sensor achieved an ultra-low limit of detection of 0.948 pM, with a linear response spanning from 0.005 to 500 nM. Moreover, the sensor exhibited exceptional anti-interference capacity, satisfactory reproducibility, favourable repeatability, and long-term operational stability. Detection of actual samples and quality-control samples confirms the reliability of the sensor, indicating promising applications for AA detection and providing a new approach in this field.
Acrylamide (AA) is a common contaminant in foods processed at high temperatures and has attracted significant attention due to its potential neurotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Therefore, the development of a highly sensitive, highly selective sensing technology suitable for on-site detection is of great importance for ensuring food safety. In this study, an aptamer (Apt)-based capacitive AA sensor was developed based on the alternating current electrokinetics (ACEK) effect. The sensor utilizes an aptamer as the biomimetic recognition element, which can specifically recognize AA, thereby enabling quantitative detection. Additionally, a detachable detection fixture and data acquisition system were designed to enhance the detection stability and convenience of sensor. Within the linear range of 1 nmol/L to 10 µmol/L, the sensor response (dC/dt) exhibited a good linear relationship with AA concentration, with a detection limit as low as 0.4235 nmol/L. The sensor exhibits good selectivity toward structural analogs of AA, with a recovery relative standard deviations (RSDs) of less than 5.42% in spiked coffee samples. This portable detection system provides a sensitive and user-friendly tool for the analysis of acrylamide in food and holds great potential for application in food safety.
Ke Wang, Mingna Xie, Yuyang Zhao et al.· Micromachines· 0 citations
The specific and accurate detection of ultra-low levels of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in biological samples holds great potential in the clinical diagnosis of various cancer types and neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, a cost-effective, label-free electrochemical aptasensor was developed by self-assembling a thiol-modified aptamer onto the surface of a gold electrode (AuE). Target recognition was measured by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) using [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- redox probe. The biosensor demonstrated superior selectivity for m6A determination in diluted artificial human urine samples, effectively distinguishing it from structurally related nucleosides and endogenous electroactive compounds. Under optimized conditions, the 6-mercapto-1-hexanol (MCH)-blocked electrode gave a limit of detection (LOD) in urine of 0.510 pM over a linear range of 3.2 pM - 10 nM by DPV and 0.700 pM over the same range by EIS. For the MCH/Apt/AuE platform, recovery values of 95.70% by DPV and 96.20% by EIS were obtained in 1:25 diluted artificial human urine, with corresponding relative standard deviations (RSD) of 2.65% and 2.50%. These results confirm the satisfactory accuracy and reproducibility of the developed aptasensor in this matrix. Consequently, the proposed aptasensor has the potential to serve as a non-invasive diagnostic platform that enhances patient comfort in the early diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, offering a strong alternative to invasive biopsy procedures.
Manolya Mujgan Yildiz, V. C. Özalp, Burcu Doğan Topal· Talanta: The International J...· 0 citations
Detecting cytokines at ultralow concentrations is important for the early diagnosis and monitoring of inflammatory and immune disorders, yet remains constrained by the sensitivity and stability of bioelectronic interfaces. Here, we present an electropolymerization strategy for preparing poly(amino-ʟ-tyrosine) (pALT) nanofilms as functional biointerfaces for DNA aptamer-based cytokine recognition. Electropolymerization yields ultrathin, continuous, and ultrasmooth coatings that combine chemical stability with accessible carboxyl functionalities for the direct bioconjugation of amine-terminated aptamers. Integrated into fiber-optic surface plasmon resonance and organic electrochemical transistor platforms, the pALT interfaces support interleukin-6 detection with femtogram-level sensitivity (100 fg mL-1) across five orders of magnitude in dynamic range, among the lower reported detection ranges. By coupling controllable electropolymerization with direct surface biofunctionalization, this approach provides a versatile route to optical and bioelectronics sensing interfaces on electrically conductive substrates.
Jiyao Yu, Renan Colucci, Rachel X Shi et al.· Advances in Materials· 0 citations
Saxitoxin (STX) is a highly potent phycotoxin that poses a severe threat to both human health and aquatic ecosystems. Given its extremely low permissible level in food products, there is an urgent need for a sensitive, specific, and cost-effective screening method. In this study, an electrochemiluminescence (ECL)-based method was developed for STX detection, capitalizing on the inherent advantages of ECL, including high sensitivity and minimal background interference. To achieve selective recognition of STX, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) featuring specific memory cavities were modified onto MAPB QDs@SiO2. Benefiting from the label-free nature of MIPs and the unique electronic properties of MAPB QDs, the fabricated ECL sensor exhibited excellent sensitivity with a low detection limit of 1.2 fg/mL and high selectivity against other biotoxins. With its simplicity, outstanding sensitivity, and reliable specificity, this sensor represents a promising tool for STX monitoring in environmental and food safety applications.
Yu Han, Ting Zhang, Rui Kang et al.· Food Chemistry· 0 citations
The contamination of the environment with the sulfadiazine (SDZ) antibiotic poses a significant risk to human and animal health and contributes to the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. Conventional detection methods are often time-consuming and require sophisticated instrumentation. Herein, we developed a sensitive SDZ detection method based on a high-performance photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensor. Using an iron oxide (Fe3O4) functionalized three-dimensional graphitic carbon nitride (3DCN) nanocomposite. The 3DCN substrate was initially prepared through supramolecular self-assembly employing an ionic liquid as a template, followed by thermal polycondensation. Then, Fe3O4 nanoparticles bearing abundant hydroxyl groups were covalently anchored onto the 3DCN matrix via a solvothermal method. The incorporation of Fe3O4 broadened the visible-light absorption, facilitating charge separation and transport, and acting as an effective electron donor. Operating in a "signal-on" mode, the proposed aptasensor exhibited excellent analytical performance with a broad linear range (0.1 nM-1000 nM), a low detection limit (215 pM), and outstanding selectivity, stability, and reproducibility. The practical applicability was successfully validated by detecting SDZ in river water and milk with recoveries of 98.1-99.8%. Overall, the Fe3O4/3DCN-based PEC aptasensor is a robust, sensitive, cost-effective with good potential for food safety, environmental monitoring, and public health protection.
Abdulkerim Oumer Mohammed, Wangui Peng, Xiangpeng Shi et al.· Bioelectrochemistry· 1 citation
Bongkrekic acid (BKA) is a highly toxic chemical substance harmful to humans. In this work, a sensitive, selective, and inexpensive imprinted electrochemical sensor for the determination of BKA was developed. The gold nanoparticles‐modified ITO electrode (AuNPs/ITO electrode) increases the specific surface area and conductivity ensuring high sensitivity of the sensor. Subsequently, a molecular‐imprinted polymer film (MIP) was prepared on the surface of the AuNPs/ITO electrode through in situ electro‐polymerization. The BKA‐polydopamine MIP (BKA‐PDA‐MIP) can specifically recognize BKA ensures the high selectivity of the sensor. The higher the BKA concentration, the more occupation on the MIP/AuNPs/ITO electrode surface, so that leads to the lower electron‐transfer rate and the smaller the DPV signal. This imprinted electrochemical sensor exhibited a satisfactory detection range from 1 to 400 ng mL
−1
and a low detection limit (LOD) of 0.542 ng mL
−1
. Furthermore, the proposed sensor was successfully applied to detect BKA in real food samples, indicating a good application prospect in actual sample determination.
Shengpan Xu, F. Mu, Wansu Wu et al.· Electroanalysis· 0 citations
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