Zero background and triple-signal amplified fluorescence aptasensor for antibiotics detection in foods

Abstract It's important to eliminate matrix interference for accurate detecting antibiotic residues in complex food samples. In this study, we designed a zero-backgrounded fluorescence aptasensor to achieve on-site detection of antibiotic residues, with chloramphenicol (CAP) as representative analyte. Moreover, a three stir-bars assisted target recycling system (TSBTR) was designed to achieve triple signal amplification and increase the sensitivity. The bars included one magnetic stir-bar modified with two kinds of long DNA chains, and two gold stir-bars modified with Y shape-duplex DNA probes respectively. In the presence of CAP, the target could recurrently react with the probes on the bars and replace a large amount of long DNA chains into supernatant. After then, the bars were taken out and SYBR green dye was added to the solution. The dye can specifically intercalate into the duplex structures of DNA chains to emit fluorescence while not emitting a signal in its free state. Under the optimized experimental conditions, a wide linear response range of 5 orders of magnitude from 0.001 ng mL −1 to 10 ng mL −1 was achieved with a detection limit of 0.033 pg mL −1 CAP. The assay was successfully employed to detect CAP in food samples (milk & fish) with consistent results with ELISA's. High selectivity and sensitivity were attributed to the zero background signal and triple signal-amplification strategy. Moreover, the detection time can be shortened to 40 min due to that three signal amplified process can occur simultaneously. The fluorescent aptasensor was also label- and enzyme-free. All these ensure the platform to be rapid, cost-effective, easily-used, and is especially appropriate for detection antibiotics in food safety.