Detection Of Ractopamine Research Articles

A flexible paper based electrochemical portable biosensor towards recognition of ractopamine as animal feed additive: Low cost diagnostic tool towards food analysis using aptasensor technology

Due to the costly and time-consuming traditional techniques, providing a low-cost, portability and flexibility diagnostic tool with the ability to monitor and detect various animal feed additive is highly demanded. Over the years, paper-based biosensors have emerged as point of care (POC) diagnostic, easy-to-use and miniaturized tools. However, they have been suffered from low sensitivity. Aptamer as appropriate bioreceptor can overcome the most common disadvantage of paper based sensor by increasing selectivity and sensitivity. In this study, a novel paper-based electrochemical aptasensor was successfully developed to detection of ractopamine (RAC). RAC concentration was evaluated using a designed three-electrode paper based biodevice system. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the engineered aptasensor provided good sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of RAC. Using proposed flexible sensor RAC was determined in the range of 0.001 µM to 100 mM which the lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) was obtained as 0.01 µM. Finally, aptasensor was used to the monitoring of RAC in untreated human plasma specimens which LLOQ and linear range were 0.01 µM and 0.01 µM to 10 mM, respectively. We hope that the exploitation of aptamer in electrochemical paper based sensor will be able to broaden our understanding for developing the application of low-cost and portable biodevices for the sensitive and selective paper-based sensor to identify other chemical and biological compounds.

Low fouling and ultra-sensitive electrochemical screening of ractopamine using mixed self-assembly of PEG and aptamer immobilized on the interface of poly (dopamine)/GCE: A new apta-platform towards point of care (POC) analysis

During the twentieth century, RAC (ractopamine) as one of the important and frequently used feed additives and doping agents has attracted considerable attention in the animal breeding industry and sports competitions. Herein, we report a sensitive and easy-to fabricate electrochemical single off apta-assay for detection of RAC. To fabricate the low fouling aptasensor, the surface of GCE (glassy carbon electrode) was coated by polydopamine (PDA) to provide a suitable substrate for aptamer immobilization. Then, the diluted T95108 aptamer (sequence, 5′-AAA AAG TGC GGGC-3′) mixed with PEG (polyethylene glycol). Then, it was immobilized on the modified surface which led to efficient interaction with RAC (Target molecules). Ascorbic acid, arginine, tyrosine, L-proline, glutamic acid, cysteine, and uric acid were also used to test the selectivity of aptasensor. The modified surface was characterized by FE-SEM (field emission scanning electron microscopes) and EDS (energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy). Cyclic voltammetry technique was employed to evaluate the stability of designed aptasensor. DPV (differential pulse voltammetry), SWV (square wave voltammetry) and CHA (chronoamperometry) techniques were also conducted for measuring RAC concentration. Low limit of quantification (LLOQ) and linear range of aptasensor were 10 fM and 10 fM to 10 nM, respectively obtained. The applicability of the designed aptasensor was investigated in human plasma samples too.

Stable Crystalline Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Indium Phosphate with Dye Removal and Ractopamine Detection Applications.

A highly stable framework of an organic-inorganic hybrid indium phosphate (NTOU-7) was synthesized under hydro(solvo)thermal conditions and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. This is the first example of a post-transition-metal phosphate incorporating tetradentate organic molecules. The In atoms in the inorganic layers are coordinated by imidazole rings of the 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene linkers to generate a new solid-state material. NTOU-7 showed high chemical stability and displayed excellent performance for both dye removal and ractopamine (RAC) detection, which are interesting environmental and biosensing applications. The sensitivity and ultralow limit of detection were 607.9 μA·μM·cm-2 and 2.74 × 10-10 mol·L-1 (0.08 ppb), which meet the requirements stated by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (10 ppb RAC residue in beef and pork). The detection performance was confirmed by sensing spiked-in RAC in real pork samples. We also reported the synthesis, characterization, structural stability, dye removal, and sensing properties of NTOU-7.

Rapid Detection of Ractopamine and Salbutamol in Swine Urine by Immunochromatography Based on Selenium Nanoparticles.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to establish a lateral flow immunoassay using selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) as a probe to detect ractopamine (RAC) and salbutamol (SAL) in swine urine.MethodsSDS and PEG were used as templates to prepare Se-NPs; anti-RAC monoclonal antibodies or anti-SAL monoclonal antibodies were labelled with Se-NPs; and rapid detection kits were prepared. The sensitivity, specificity, and stability were measured, and actual samples were analysed.ResultsThe Se-NPs were spherical with a diameter of 40.63 ± 5.91 nm, and were conjugated successfully with an anti-RAC antibody to give a total diameter of 82.33 ± 17.91 nm. The detection limit of a RAC kit in swine urine was 1 ng/mL, and that of a SAL kit was 3 ng/mL. Both procedures could be completed within 5 minutes. No cross-reaction occurred with clenbuterol, bambuterol and phenylethanolamine A. Samples were tested consistently across different batches of kits for swine urine. The results of the kits were identical to those of actual clinical samples analysed by ELISA, and the coincidence rate was 100%.ConclusionThe assay kit does not require any special device for reading the results, and the readout is a simple colour change that can be evaluated with the naked eye. It is easy to operate, sensitive, specific, and stable This kit is suitable for the rapid and real-time detection of RAC and SAL residues in swine urine samples.Clinical Trial RegistrationSwine urines samples were used under approval from the Experimental Animal Ethics committee of the Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, Henan University.

Biochar-Supported Cu2+/Cu+ Composite as an Electrochemical Ultrasensitive Interface for Ractopamine Detection.

Ractopamine as an important β-agonist is frequently found in pork to enhance food quality, which is harmful to human health. Thus, it is extremely important to develop an efficient analytical method to detect ractopamine for food safety control. Herein, we develop a kind of electrochemical biosensor using a biochar-supported Cu2+/Cu+ composite as an electrochemical sensing interface for detecting ractopamine. The electrochemical sensor combines the collective advantages of Nafion (enriches ractopamine and effectively shields the interference of negatively charged compounds), biochar (unique three-dimensional porous network structure to increase the contact area), and Cu2+/Cu+ (excellent electrical conductivity to speed up the charge transfer rate), which are beneficial to the accumulation and electrochemical sensing of targets on a Nafion-biochar-supported Cu2+/Cu+ electrode (NBC-GCE). The as-prepared sensor shows a good electrochemical sensing ability, with an ultralow detection limit and high sensitivity (0.041 μM and 416 μA·mM-1·cm-2, respectively), in the 0.1-1.75 μM range. In addition, the stability, repeatability, and anti-interference performance of the modified electrode are also satisfying. Last, its practicability is shown for assaying ractopamine in pork sausages. This research provides an environmentally friendly method to simultaneously treat food waste and achieve ultrasensitive detection of ractopamine in food.

Meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin silver/Ag nanoparticles/graphene-phase C3N4 with a sandwich-like structure and double-faced active centers via two-step room-temperature photocatalytic synthesis for ractopamine detection.

Photochemical synthesis under visible light irradiation is a novel approach in the field of green chemistry, and composites with abundant active centers for electrochemical detection are highly attractive. Herein, a meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin silver/Ag nanoparticles/graphene phase C3N4 nanosheets (Ag2TPPS4/AgNPs/ng-C3N4) material with a sandwich-like structure was synthesized using a two-step photocatalytic reaction at room temperature (25 °C). In the first visible light irradiation step and in the presence of a hole capture agent, Ag+ ions were photocatalytically reduced onto the surface of ng-C3N4 that was used as a photocatalyst. Then, the protons (H+) in the core of H2TPPS4 were substituted in situ by photo-oxidized Ag+ during the second visible light irradiation step and in the presence of an electron capture agent. The electrochemical response of Ag2TPPS4 and ng-C3N4 to ractopamine (RAC) results in the unique double-faced active centers of Ag2TPPS4/AgNPs/ng-C3N4, and the cores (AgNPs) are beneficial as bridges for the connection between Ag2TPPS4 and ng-C3N4 and for high-efficiency electron transfer. Hence, as-synthesized Ag2TPPS4/AgNPs/ng-C3N4 exhibits high sensitivity (a low detection limit of 5.1 × 10−8 M, S/N = 3.0), a wide linear range (1 × 10−7 to 1.2 × 10−5 M), and long-term stability. Based on the experimental verification of the electrochemical dynamics and electrostatic attraction at the interface between the dual-active-center surface and RAC, the electrochemical mechanism has been clarified. Specifically, in the multi-cycle oxidation of RAC, the blue shift of specific UV-vis peaks also confirms the electrocatalytic oxidation of the two terminal hydroxyl groups of RAC. In brief, Ag2TPPS4/AgNPs/ng-C3N4 with a sandwich-like structure and double-faced active centers enhances the detection sensitivity and electrocatalytic efficiency towards RAC.

Fabrication of an electrochemical biodevice for ractopamine detection under a strategy of a double recognition of the aptamer/molecular imprinting polymer

The importance of RAC tracking in human biofluids has boosted many demands for designing an ultrasensitive tool to determine the trace value of the RAC from clinical, judicial, and forensic centers. In this study, an electrochemical biodevice has developed for the highly selective detection of this illegal feed additive under a double recognition strategy of the aptamer (Apt) and molecular imprinting polymer (MIP) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The sensing relies on this fact that both the MIP and Apt act synergistically to trap the RAC molecules. The sensing surface fabrication steps have been monitored by some electrochemical techniques such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV(. The charge transfer resistance (Rct) value of the redox probe as a representative of the biodevice response has increased linearly with the RAC concentration increasing in a dynamic range of 1 fM to 1.90 µM. The detection limit (LOD) value has been estimated to be 330 aM, lower than all of the reported methods in the RAC sensing. Furthermore, the practical feasibility of biodevice has been evaluated in some human blood serum and urine samples. This strategy offers some useful advantages in reliable detection of the RAC, which may help in the routine analysis, as mandated by regulatory agencies.

Sensitive and specific detection of ractopamine: An electrochemiluminescence immunosensing strategy fabricated by trimetallic Au@Pd@Pt nanoparticles and triangular gold nanosheets

A competitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor has been designed for the detection of ractopamine (RAC) in the system of peroxydisulfate/oxygen (S2O82−/O2). In order to augment the signal of ECL response, trimetallic Au@Pd@Pt core-shell nanoparticles (Au@Pd@Pt NPs) was applied as catalyst and a composite co-reactant, norfloxacin−L-cysteine (NC) was coated on the surface of Au@Pd@Pt NPs to increase the performance of signal amplification. Triangular gold nanosheets (Au TNSs) was selected as the platform material to connect the antigen of RAC since the ultra-thin two-dimensional structure could reduce the barrier effect of electrode modification materials on the process of electron transfer. Consequently, the proposed immunosensor performed ideal detection sensitivity (0.03 pg mL−1) for RAC with a wide linear range from 0.0001 to 1000 ng mL−1.

Design of an electrochemical aptasensor based on porous nickel‑cobalt phosphide nanodiscs for the impedimetric determination of ractopamine

Abstract A trend in the development of aptasensors is introducing high-performance nanomaterials as a platform of biosensors with suitable aptamer binding capacity and good electrochemical activity. Here, for the first time, we report the application of nickel‑cobalt phosphide nanodiscs (NiCo-P NDs) in the design of an aptasensor for the impedimetric determination of ractopamine (RAC). The highly porous NiCo-P NDs were synthesized by a simple two-step method. Due to the high porosity and large specific surface area of NiCo-P NDs, it increases the loading of the aptamers on the modified electrode and improves the performance of the proposed aptasensor. Under optimal conditions, the designed aptasensor could determine RAC in a wide linear concentration range from 0.50 f. to 1.25 μM and has an ultralow limit of detection (LOD) of 166 aM (S/N = 3). The fabricated electrochemical aptassensor is reproducible, selective, cost-effective, which was successfully used to RAC detection in blood serum samples. We hope that our study will develop the application of the multi-metal phosphide nanodiscs in biosensing devices.

A novel sensitive electrochemical method for the detection of ractopamine in meat food via polycitrulline-modified electrode

ABSTRACT In this paper we report the modification with citrulline of the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) through cyclic voltammetry to prepare a polycitrulline-modified electrode (PCit/GCE). The electrochemical behaviour of ractopamine on this PCit/GCE was then investigated by cyclic voltammetry, to establish a novel electrochemical method for the detection of ractopamine residues in animal tissue. The optimum preparation conditions for the modified electrode were found to include a polymerisation solution pH of 6.8. The cyclic voltammetry required 12 scan cycles at a scan rate of 40 mV/s with a potential range of −1.6 to 2.3 V. The optimum conditions to determine ractopamine were in a solution of pH 6.0 with cyclic voltammetry performed at a scan rate of 60 mV/s and a potential range of 0.4 to 1.0 V. To analyse meat, the tissue sample was extracted with ethanol, filtered, evaporated to dryness and diluted with phosphate buffered saline at pH of 6.0 before being analysed in the electrochemical cell. The limit of detection of the new method for ractopamine was 1.0 ng/g and the correlation coefficient (R) was 0.9991 in the concentration range of 140–5410 ng/g. Ractopamine residue levels in spiked beef and mutton samples were detected by the modified electrode and the recovery was in the range of 96%-101%, giving results consistent with a validated HPLC method. This study provides a new method for detection and quantification of ractopamine residues in animal tissue.

Ultramarine blue nanoparticles as a label for immunochromatographic on-site determination of ractopamine.

A competitive immunochromatographic assay (ICA) is presented and used for on-site determination of ractopamine (RAC). Ultramarine blue nanoparticles were directly separated from ultramarine blue industrial products by centrifugation (< 10,000rpm and > 4000rpm) and used as visible labels in ICAs. The ultramarine blue nanoparticles were coated by polyacrylic acid (PAA), which provides carboxyl groups on the surface of ultramarine blue nanoparticles. An anti-RAC monoclonal antibody (mAb) was covalently immobilized on the carboxyl-modified ultramarine blue nanoparticle surface via diimide-activated conjugation between the carboxyl groups on the ultramarine blue nanoparticle surface and the amino groups of the antibodies. RAC and BSA-modified RAC competitively bind to the anti-RAC mAb on the ultramarine blue nanoparticles. The blue band in the test line is generated by the accumulation of ultramarine blue nanoparticles and is negatively associated with the RAC content. Under optimal conditions, the visual limit of detection (vLOD) of this ICA for RAC is 2.0ngmL-1, 2.0ngmL-1, and 1.0ngmL-1 in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), feed samples, and pork samples, respectively. The ultramarine blue nanoparticle-based ICA also shows no cross activity with salbutamol, clorprenaline, clenbuterol, or terbutaline. Graphical abstract Schematic representation of the ultramarine blue nanoparticles immunochromatographic assay for detection of ractopamine (RAC) based on competitive method. The ultramarine blue nanoparticles were screened from commercial ultramarine pigments for the first time and used to detect ractopamine.

Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Sensor based on Carbon Dots Reduced Gold Nanoparticles for Ractopamine Detection in Pork Meat

Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Sensor based on Carbon Dots Reduced Gold Nanoparticles for Ractopamine Detection in Pork Meat

Gd3+-nanoparticle-enhanced multivalent biosensing that combines magnetic relaxation switching and magnetic separation

In this work, we developed a multivalent magnetic biosensing strategy by integrating magnetic separation and magnetic relaxation switching (MRS) where Gd3+-loaded magnetic nanoparticles acted as the probe. As a transition metal ion, Gd3+ has multiple unpaired electrons in the d-orbitals that can induce a strong fluctuating magnetic field and thus can reduce the transverse relaxation time (T2), contributing to a strong magnetic signal. By loading Gd3+ onto magnetic nanoparticles, we prepared a multivalent magnetic probe that combined magnetic separation and MRS for the signal readout. This multivalent sensing technique simplified the procedures and greatly enhanced the detection sensitivity of conventional MRS assays. A sensitive detection of ractopamine in real samples has been demonstrated with this multivalent sensing technique. The magnetic probe enabled the detection of ractopamine in a linear range from 0.1 to 100 ng/mL and the limit of detection was 20 pg/mL, a 25-fold enhancement in the sensitivity compared with conventional MRS assays. This Gd3+-nanoparticle-mediated MRS biosensor is a potential magnetic platform to detect trace levels of targets in complex samples.

An immunoassay based on lab-on-a-chip for simultaneous and sensitive detection of clenbuterol and ractopamine

Both clenbuterol (CLB) and ractopamine (RAC) are β-adrenergic agonists. After long-term excessive intake, there will be adverse reactions such as headache, chest tightness, limb numbness, and serious life-threatening. Simultaneous detection of CLB and RAC in related samples is of great importance for human health. In this work, we outline a microfluidics-based indirect competitive immunoassay (MICI) system that can sensitively detect residual CLB and RAC in pork, swine blood and swine urine. The rapid detection of multiple samples can be achieved in one chip, which greatly improves the detection efficiency. This method has good stability and reproducibility and the microfluidic chips are easy to manufacture. The linear ranges for CLB and RAC detection by MICI are 0.1–2.5 ng/mL and 0.1–5 ng/mL, and the limits of detection (LODs) are 0.094 ng/mL and 0.091 ng/mL, respectively. This straightforward and portable immunoassay system provides a good platform for rapid detection of harmful substances in food samples.

AgNPs/QDs@GQDs nanocomposites developed as an ultrasensitive impedimetric aptasensor for ractopamine detection.

Developing easy-to-use and miniaturized sensors for in-field monitoring of targets which is related to human health is necessary. Ractopamine (RAC) is a feed additive with serious side effects that is forbidden in many countries. This study reports the fabrication of an impedimetric aptasensor for ultrasensitive and selective detection of the RAC in human biological fluids. Accordingly, an efficient nanocomposites was synthesized by a beneficial combination of graphene quantum dots (GQDs), quantum dots (QDs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for modifying a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). This nanocomposite is promising to present a synergistic effect in the increase of the active surface area of the modified electrode to more load the biocapture of the target. Next, the RAC-binding aptamer (Apt) was attached to the AgNPs/QDs@GQDs/GCE surface and a sensitive layer for the RAC detection was embedded. A RAC-Apt complex was formed upon adding the RAC and the changes of the electrochemical behavior were studied by some electrochemical techniques such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Under optimal conditions, the charge transfer resistance (Rct) value was increased linearly with increasing of the RAC concentrations in the range of 1 fM to 901.4nM. Limit of detection (LOD) was calculated to be 330 aM which is superior by other reported electrochemical methods in the RAC sensing. The applicability of the aptasensor was tested in human urine and blood serum as the real samples and satisfactory results of specificity were achieved. It seems that the proposed strategy not only provides a new ultrasensitive strategy for RAC detection but also expands the application of the sensing interface to develop other aptasensors by changing the Apt sequence.

Background Signal-Free Magnetic Bioassay for Food-Borne Pathogen and Residue of Veterinary Drug via Mn(VII)/Mn(II) Interconversion.

Paramagnetic ion-mediated sensors can greatly simplify current magnetic sensors for biochemical assays, but it remains challenging because of the limited sensitivity. Herein, we report a magnetic immunosensor relying on Mn(VII)/Mn(II) interconversion and the corresponding change in the low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) of the transverse relaxation rate (R2). The fact that the NMR R2 of the water protons detected in Mn(II) aqueous solution is much stronger than Mn(VII) aqueous solution enables the modulation of the LF-NMR signal intensity of R2. By employing immunomagnetic separation and enzyme-catalyzed reaction, this Mn(VII)/Mn(II) interconversion allows the development of a background signal-free magnetic immunosensor with a high signal-to-background ratio that enables detection of ractopamine and Salmonella with high sensitivity (the limits of detection for ractopamine and Salmonella are 8.1 pg/mL and 20 cfu/mL, respectively). This Mn-mediated magnetic immunosensor not only retains the good stability but also greatly improves the sensitivity of conventional paramagnetic ion-mediated magnetic sensors, offering a promising platform for sensitive, stable, and convenient bioanalysis.

Comparison of soybean peroxidase with horseradish peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase used in immunoassays

Enzyme labeling of an antigen or an antibody helps to visualize and amplify the signal and is an important reagent used in immunoassays for the detection of a target of interest. In this research, soybean peroxidase (SBP), a less commonly used enzyme reporter, was compared in immunoassays with the two most commonly used reagents, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The enzyme-antibody conjugates were evaluated by their performance in an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (icELISA) and in an indirect competitive chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (icCLEIA) for ractopamine (RAC). The results revealed that the more affordable SBP offers a long-lasting chemiluminescent signal, which outperformed ALP and HRP. SBP-antibody conjugate (SBP-Ab) based immunoassays produced lower limits of detection (LODs) and better accuracy in the detection of RAC in animal urine samples. Additionally, SBP-Ab has advantages in being more resistant to heat, acid and organic solvents. These results suggest that SBP could be a potentially excellent alternative to HRP and ALP for the development of immunoassay in food safety field.

Novel ractopamine-protein carrier conjugation and its application to the lateral flow strip test for ractopamine detection in animal feed.

In this work, a novel conjugate of ractopamine and bovine serum albumin (RAC-BSA) has been developed via the Mannich reaction, with a mole coupling ratio for RAC-BSA of 9:1. The proposed conjugation method provides a simple and one-step method with the use of fewer reagents compared with other conjugation methods for competitive immunoassays. RAC-BSA conjugation was used to fabricate a competitive lateral flow strip test for RAC detection in animal feed. For sample preparation, RAC was spiked in swine feed purchased from the local markets in Thailand, and methanol and running buffer at a volume ratio of 10:90 was used as extraction buffer. The procedures for sample preparation were completed within 25 min. Under optimal conditions, the limit of detection (LOD), assessed by the naked eye within 5 min, was found to be 1 ng/g. A semi-quantitative analysis was also conducted using a smart phone and computer software, with a linearity of 0.075-0.750 ng/g, calculated LOD of 0.10 ng/g, calculated limit of quantitation of 0.33 ng/g, and good correlation of 0.992. The recoveries were found in the range of 96.4%-103.7% with a relative standard deviation of 2.5%-3.6% for intra- and inter-assays. Comparison of the results obtained by the strip test with those obtained by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay had a good agreement in terms of accuracy. Furthermore, this strip test exhibited highly specific RAC detection without cross reactivity with related compounds. Therefore, the RAC-BSA conjugation via the Mannich reaction can be accepted as a one-step and easy conjugation method and applied to the competitive lateral flow strip test.

A novel colorimetric immunosensor based on platinum colloid nanoparticles immobilized on PowerVision as signal probes and Fe3 O4 @β-cyclodextrin as capture probes for ractopamine detection in pork.

A novel colorimetric immunosensor was developed for the simple, sensitive and selective detection of ractopamine (RAC) based on using β-cyclodextrin-modified Fe3 O4 particles (Fe3 O4 @β-CD) as capture probes and complex platinum colloid nanoparticles (PtNPs-PV) composed of platinum colloid nanoparticles (PtNPs) and polymerase chelate PowerVision (PV) as signal probes. PtNPs-PV double catalyzed the chromogenic substrate 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB), which induced changes in the color of DAB and chromogenic absorbance. Incubation temperature, pH and incubation time were systematically optimized and, under optimum conditions, the measured absorbance values showed a linear relationship with the RAC concentrations in the range 0.03-8.1 ng mL-1 . The detection limit was 0.01 ng mL-1 . The sensor exhibited high sensitivity and specificity, as demonstrated by testing structurally similar organic compounds such as salbutamol, clenbuterol and dopamine. The practicality of the developed colorimetric immunosensor was supported by the successful detection of RAC in pork samples with recovery ranging from 94.00% to 106.00%. We designed a novel sandwich-type noncompetitive colorimetric immunoassay for the detection of trace levels of RAC in pork. The proposed method can also be used for the detection of toxins in food products via PtNPs-PV amplification. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Construction of an ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescent aptasensor for ractopamine detection.

In this study, an ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensor based on Ru(bpy)32+-doped silica nanoparticles (Ru@SiO2 NPs) coupled with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) was developed for the determination of ractopamine (Rac). TPrA is used as the coreactant, the Ru@SiO2 NPs serve as the ECL luminophores, and the Au NPs work as a catalyzer in the redox reaction as well as the carrier that immobilizes the aptamer. Meanwhile, the complete incorporation of the Ru@SiO2 NPs and Au NPs increases the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) probability, thus promoting ECL emission. The ractopamine (Rac) target molecules are specifically captured on the electrode surface by aptamer recognition. The ECL signal is quenched by energy transfer from the luminophore to benzoquinone compounds, which are oxidative products of Rac from the electrochemical scanning process. The proposed ECL aptasensor exhibits ultrahigh sensitivity and excellent selectivity for Rac detection. The linear response ranged over Rac concentrations from 1.5 × 10-12 M to 1.5 × 10-8 M with a detection limit of 4.1 × 10-14 M (S/N = 3). The detection recovery of Rac in real meat samples confirmed the satisfactory performance of the method. This study describes a versatile ECL aptasensor based on the combined functions of luminous nanospheres and Au NPs, indicating its potential application for the ultrasensitive analysis of targets in diverse systems.