A target-triggered signal chemiluminescence sensor for prostate specific antigen detection based on hollow porous silica encapsulated luminol by aptamers

Here, a target-triggered signal chemiluminescence sensor was constructed for prostate specific antigen detection based on hollow porous silica encapsulated luminol by aptamers. In this work, luminol as a chemiluminescence illuminant was encapsulated in the cavity of hollow porous silica by aptamers, and the encapsulated silicon material was prepared and characterized. Then, the encapsulated silicon material was used to construct the target-triggered signal chemiluminescence sensor. When prostate specific antigen is present, prostate specific antigen and its aptamer are specifically recognized and combine together, and aptamer is detached from the surface of silicon material. So luminol will be released, and triggers chemiluminescence reaction of luminol-H2O2, in which horseradish peroxidase acts as a catalyst. So the target-triggered signal chemiluminescence sensor was structured for prostate specific antigen detection, and the feasibility of the sensor was studied. Under optimized conditions, the sensor showed a low detection limit of 0.27 pg/mL (S/N = 3), and wide linear range of 0.001-100 ng/mL. The sensor also showed good selectivity, reproducibility and stability. The spiked recovery in serum samples that no other additional complex pretreatment ranged from 99.3%-102.3%. It provides an alternative approach to high sensitivity, selectivity and accurate detection of prostate specific antigen in actual samples.

Automated summary

A target-triggered signal chemiluminescence sensor was developed for prostate specific antigen detection using luminol encapsulated in hollow porous silica by aptamers. The sensor demonstrated a low detection limit, wide linear range, good selectivity, reproducibility, and stability, making it a promising alternative for highly sensitive and accurate detection of prostate specific antigen in practical samples.