Title:A Novel Fluorescent Aptasensor Based on Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles
for Selective and Sensitive Detection of Saxitoxin in Shellfish
Volume: 19
Issue: 9
Author(s): Najeeb Ullah, Beenish Noureen, Qurat Ul Ain Zahra, Tariq Aziz, Somia Shehzadi, Mohammad Y. Alfaifif, Serag Eldin I. Elbehairif, Khalid Hussain Thebo, Asmat Ullah*Haroon Iqbal*
Affiliation:
- Clinical Research Institute, Zhejiang
Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital,
Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
Keywords:
Aptamer, fluorescent sensing, saxitoxin, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, marine toxins, shellfish poisoning.
Abstract:
Background: Saxitoxin (STX) stands as one of the most potent marine biotoxins, exhibiting
high lethality. Despite its severity, current treatments remain ineffective, and existing detection
techniques are limited due to ethical concerns and technical constraints.
Methods: Herein, an innovative approach was constructed for STX detection, utilizing mesoporous
silica nanoparticles (MSN) as a foundation. This innovative, easy, and label-free aptamer (Apt)-
sensor was fabricated. Apts were employed as molecular identification probes and "gated molecules,"
while rhodamine 6G was encapsulated within particles to serve as a signal probe. In a lack of
STX, Apts immobilized on an MSN surface kept a "gate" closed, preventing signal probe leakage.
Upon the presence of STX, the "gate" opened, allowing a particular binding of Apts to STX and a
subsequent release of a signal probe.
Results: Experimental results demonstrated a positive correlation between fluorescence intensity and
concentrations of STX within a range of 1 to 80 nM, with an exceptional limit of detection of 0.12
nM. Furthermore, the selectivity and stability of a biosensor were rigorously evaluated, validating its
reliability.
Conclusion: This newly developed sensing strategy exhibits remarkable performance in STX detection.
Its success holds significant promise for advancing portable STX detection equipment, thereby
addressing a pressing need for efficient and ethical detection methods in combating marine biotoxin
contamination.
