Paper-based chemiluminescence and colorimetric detection of Cytochrome C by cobalt hydroxide decorated mesoporous carbon

Abstract The detection and measurement of Cytochrome C (Cyt c) has a large impact on the early detection of various types of cancers. So there is a need for developing simple and rapid methods that can be offset by advances in the use of test strips. In this work, a chemiluminescence (CL) and colorimetric aptasensor based method for highly sensitive detection of Cyt c in solution and on paper is introduced. We found that new nano-based material composed of β-Co(OH)2 nanoplates anchored on ordered mesoporous carbon (CMK) could be a sufficient catalyzer in chemiluminescence and colorimetric systems. In the presence of Cyt c, its specific aptamers would bind to Cyt c and β-Co(OH)2 CMk can become free thus enhancing the intensity. While in the absence of Cyt c, a weak CL signal was produced, because β-Co(OH)2 CMK will be surrounded by aptamers. The proposed aptasensor exhibited a wide dynamic range from 5.0 × 10−8–1.0 × 10−3 M (R2 = 0.99) with a detection limit of 1.0 × 10−9 M in colorimetric and 10 × 10−13–5.0 × 10−9 M (R2 = 0.99) and a detection limit of 2.0 × 10−14 M in chemiluminescence detection systems, which was applicable for the determination of Cyt c efficiently. Also, we tested this strategy on paper for both colorimetric and chemiluminescence detection that showed the convenient response according to the obtained results.