Development of a label-free electrochemical aptasensor for ultrasensitive detection of ochratoxin A

Abstract

The prevalent ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination in food has increased the urgency to develop sensitive and accurate detection methods. This study reported a conveniently fabricated label-free electrochemical (EC) aptasensor for ultrasensitive detection of OTA based on the competitive binding of OTA with its specific aptamer without any signal amplification strategy. A gold electrode (AuE) was modified with a compact layer of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), obtained via OTA aptamer and complementary DNA (cDNA) hybridization, to act as a barrier for redox probe [Fe(CN) 6 ] 3-/4- to AuE access. This led to a high initial electron-transfer resistance (R ct ), recorded via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Since the aptamer displayed a higher affinity to OTA than cDNA, the added OTA triggered aptamer dissociation from AuE to form the OTA-aptamer complex, obviously decreasing the R ct . The target-induced variation in the resistance response strongly depended on the OTA concentration. Optimum conditions improved the linear relationship between R ct and the logarithm of OTA concentration in a range of 0.05–10 ng/mL with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.05 ng/mL for OTA. Recoveries of 74.8–105% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 8.86–13.09% were obtained in the spiked malt samples. The Real-world detection of OTA in the actual malt samples confirmed the reliability of the convenient, cost-effective, and highly specific impedimetric aptasensor, exhibiting significant promise for extended application in food control to identify more hazardous contaminants by altering the corresponding aptamers. • A label-free electrochemical impedimetric aptasensor for OTA detection was developed. • No extra coupling medium was involved for immobilizing the aptamers. • The aptasensor achieved high sensitivity for OTA without signal amplification. • The impedimetric aptasensor succeeded in real malt samples with satisfactory recoveries. • The aptasensor can be extended to more contaminants in foods via replacing the corresponding aptamers.