Label-free detection of kanamycin based on the aptamer-functionalized conducting polymer/gold nanocomposite

Highly sensitive label-free detection of kanamycin is achieved with an aptamer sensor based on a conducting polymer/gold self-assembled nanocomposite. The sensor probe is fabricated by covalently immobilizing an in vitro selected DNA aptamer for kanamycin onto gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-comprised conducting polymer, poly-[2, 5-di-(2-thienyl)-1H-pyrrole-1-(p-benzoic acid)] (poly-DPB). The self-assembling of DPB on AuNP is investigated by TEM and UV–vis spectroscopy and the modification of the aptamer sensor is characterized using XPS and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The probe is applied to detect kanamycin by using voltammetric techniques. The sensor shows a pair of redox peaks around 0.26/ 0.08 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) for kanamycin captured by the aptamer-immobilized probe. The parameters that can affect the response, such as aptamer concentration, incubation time, temperature, and pH are optimized. The calibration plot shows a linear range from 0.05 μM to 9.0 μM kanamycin with a detection limit of 9.4±0.4 nM. The proposed aptamer sensor is examined with a real sample.

► This is the first label-free electrochemical DNA aptamer sensor for kanamycin.
► Self-assembled poly-DPB(AuNP) nanocomposite improves the sensor sensitivity for five times.
► The detection limit is determined to be 9.4±0.4 nM.