Abstract
A novel, facile sensor was further developed for microcystin-LR (MC-LR) determination by visible spectroscopy. Antibody-functionalized SiO₂-coated magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂) and aptamer-functionalized polydopamine nanospheres decorated with Cu nanoparticles (PDA/CuNPs) recognized specific sites in MC-LR and then the sandwich-type composites were separated magnetically. The Cu in the separated composites was converted to Cu(2+) ions in solution and turn-on visible absorption was achieved after reaction with bis(cyclohexanone)oxaldihydrazone (BCO) (λ(max) = 600 nm). There was a quantitative relationship between the spectral intensity and MC-LR concentration. In addition, under the optimum conditions, the sensor turns out to be a linear relationship from 0.05 to 25 nM, with a limit of detection of 0.05 nM (0.05 μg/L) (S/N = 3) for MC-LR. The sensitivity was dependent on the low background absorption from the off-to-on spectrum and label amplification by the polydopamine (PDA) surface. The sensor had high selectivity, which shows the importance of dual-site recognition by the aptamer and antibody and the highly specific color formed by BCO with Cu(2+). The bioassay was complete within 150 min, which enabled quick determination. The sensor was successfully used with real spiked samples. These results suggest it has potential applications in visible detection and could be used to detect other microcystin analogs.