An electrochemical aptasensor based on electrospun carbon nanofiber mat and gold nanoparticles for the sensitive detection of Penicillin in milk

In this research, a novel electrochemical aptasensor for the detection of Penicillin in a milk sample was designed using a Penicillin aptamer as the specific recognition element and an electrospun carbon nanofiber (ECNF) mat electrodeposited gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as the platform. Firstly, the ECNF mat electrode was fabricated by means of electrospinning and heat treatment method. Secondly, the prepared ECNF mat electrode was modified with electrodeposition of AuNPs to improve the rate of electronic transmission. Finally, a Penicillin aptamer was assembled on the modified electrode. The morphology of AuNPs/ECNF mat electrode was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The SEM results demonstrated that the electrodeposition of AuNPs on ECNF mat electrode was successfully performed. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was utilized to indicate the electrochemical performance of the prepared aptasensor. The CV results illustrated a high selectivity, good stability, excellent reproducibility and repeatability as well as wide linear range (1-400 ng/mL) with a low detection limit (0.6 ng/mL). Moreover, the recoveries obtained in this research were in a good agreement with those achieved using the HPLC method. Therefore, a proposed aptasensor with a good electrochemical performance and simple preparation procedure can be proposed for the detection of Penicillin antibiotic in milk samples.

Automated summary

A novel electrochemical aptasensor was developed for detecting Penicillin in milk samples using a Penicillin aptamer and AuNPs on an ECNF mat electrode. The sensor showed high selectivity, stability, and sensitivity with a low detection limit of 0.6 ng/mL. The modified electrode with AuNPs exhibited improved electronic transmission.