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Detection of Malachite Green using a colorimetric aptasensor based on the inhibition of the peroxidase-like activity of gold nanoparticles by cetyltrimethylammonium ions

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Abstract

A specific and sensitive colorimetric aptasensor is described for the determination of Malachite Green (MG). It is exploiting the inhibition of the peroxidase-like activity of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The AuNPs act as enzyme mimics that catalyze the oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) by H2O2 to yield a dark blue solution. The catalytic activity is inhibited by hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium ion, specifically by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), which causes the aggregation of AuNPs. If a (negatively charged) RNA-aptamer against MG is added, it binds to the positively charged CTAB and prevents aggregation. This enhances the enzyme mimicking activity of the AuNPs and leads to the formation of a dark blue solution. However, in the presence of MG, the aptamer binds to MG, and leads to the aggregation of AuNPs again. The aggregated AuNPs possess a light blue color. A colorimetric method (best performed at 650 nm) was work out that can detect MG in a concentration range from 10 to 500 nmol L−1. The detection limit based on 3σ/k criterion is 1.8 nmol L−1. The assay is highly specific and accurate. Recoveries from spiked real samples (aquaculture water) ranged from 80% to 120%.

Based on the inhibition of cetyltrimethyal ammonium ion and the enhancement of RNA-aptamer, the differences of the peroxidase-like activities of AuNPs can be greatly enlarged with and without MG, by which a colorimetric aptasensor can be constructed for the detection of Malachite Green (MG).

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Foundation from the Science and Technology Planning Project of Fujian Province, China (2016Y0064), the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province of China (2018 J01432, 2017 J01633), National Key R and D Program of China (2018YFD0901003), the Science and Technology Planning Project of Xiamen, China (3502Z20183031), and the National Undergraduate Training Programs for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (201610390042, 201710390022, 201810390071, 20181xj008).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China

    Chen Zhao, Cheng-yi Hong, Zheng-zhong Lin, Xiao-mei Chen & Zhi-Yong Huang

  2. Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Enzyme Engineering, Xiamen, 361021, Fujian Province, China

    Zheng-zhong Lin

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  1. Chen Zhao
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Correspondence to Zhi-Yong Huang.

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Zhao, C., Hong, Cy., Lin, Zz. et al. Detection of Malachite Green using a colorimetric aptasensor based on the inhibition of the peroxidase-like activity of gold nanoparticles by cetyltrimethylammonium ions. Microchim Acta 186, 322 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-019-3436-3

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