Selection and truncation of aptamers for ultrasensitive detection of sulfamethazine using a fluorescent biosensor based on graphene oxide

We developed a fluorescent aptamer/graphene oxide (GO)-based biosensor to detect sulfamethazine (SMZ) residues in animal-derived foods. The SMZ-bound aptamers were identified and screened with an improved GO-SELEX technique using non-immobilizing ssDNA library. After seven rounds of selection, six SMZ aptamers were sequenced and analyzed for secondary structure, and their affinity and specificity were assessed by binding assays. The truncated aptamer (SMZ1S: 5 '-CGTTAGACG-3 ') with a unique stem-loop structure showed the highest affinity (K-d = 24.6 nM) to SMZ and was used to develop a GO-based fluorescent aptasensor. The binding mechanism between SMZ1S and SMZ was further analyzed by molecular docking. Under optimal conditions, the fluorescent aptasensor showed low detection limits (0.35 ng/mL) and a wide dynamic linear range (from 2 to 100 ng/mL). The aptasensor was also validated against real samples spiked with SMZ, which showed a fluorescence recovery from 93.9 to 108.8% and a coefficient of variation of < 12.7%. Taken together, these results suggest that this novel aptasensor can be used to sensitively, selectively, and accurately detect SMZ residues in foods.

Automated summary

A fluorescent aptamer/GO-based biosensor was developed for detecting SMZ residues in animal-derived foods, showing high affinity and specificity. The sensor has low detection limits and a wide dynamic linear range, allowing for accurate detection of SMZ residues in foods.