Colorimetric detection of bisphenol A based on unmodified aptamer and cationic polymer aggregated gold nanoparticles

In this study, a colorimetric method was exploited to detect bisphenol A (BPA) based on BPA-specific aptamer and cationic polymer-induced aggregation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The principle of this assay is very classical. The aggregation of AuNPs was induced by the concentration of cationic polymer, which is controlled by specific recognition of aptamer with BPA and the reaction of aptamer and cationic polymer forming duplex structure. This method enables colorimetric detection of BPA with selectivity and a detection limit of 1.50 nM. In addition, this calorimetric method was successfully used to determine spiked BPA in tap water and river water samples. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.