Ultrasensitive detection of aflatoxin B1 by SERS aptasensor based on exonuclease-assisted recycling amplification

Aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) is one of the most abundant and carcinogenic food-contaminating mycotoxins around the world. In this study, we proposed a surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing strategy for the determination of AFB(1). An aptamer for AFB(1) partially hybridized with complementary-DNA, which was released after the recognition of AFB(1) and immediately hybridized with hairpin DNA on the surface of sputtering Au film. Exonuclease III hydrolyzed the double-stranded DNA, leaving short single-stranded DNA on the Au surface and releasing complementary-DNA for next ring opening and digestion. SERS tag was captured on Au surface by DNA hybridization. Agarose gel electrophoresis and dynamic light scattering showed that SEAS tag was successfully prepared. The detection principle was validated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and SERS at each step. High sensitivity and good selectivity for AFB(1) detection were observed. The results showed that there was a good linear relation when the AFB(1) concentration was from 1x10(-6) to 1 ng/mL, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.4 fg/mL. This sensor was also applied for quantifying AFB(1) levels in spiked peanuts samples, the recoveries was in the range of 89-121%.